County of San Bernardino 2007 general plan

COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
2007 GENERAL PLAN
Prepared for:
County of San Bernardino
Land Use Services Division
385 North Arrowhead Avenue, 1st Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415- 0182
Adopted March 13, 2007
Effective April 12, 2007
Prepared by:
URS Corporation
2020 East First Street, Suite 400
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Acknowledgements
The following individuals contributed to preparation of the
San Bernardino County General Plan
Board of Supervisors
Brad Mitzelfelt, First District Supervisor
Paul Biane, Second District Supervisor, Chairman
Dennis Hansberger, Third District Supervisor
Gary Ovitt, Fourth District Supervisor, Vice Chairman
Josie Gonzales, Fifth District Supervisor
Planning Commission
Ken Anderson, First District
Michael Cramer, Second District
Bill Collazo, Third District
Mark Dowling, Fourth District, Vice Chairman
Audrey Mathews, Fifth District, Chair
General Plan Advisory Committee ( GPAC)
Mark Bulot, Redlands
Ted Dutton, Lake Arrowhead
Scott Frier, Helendale
Matt Jordan, Redlands
Michael Kreeger, Chino Hills
Jornal K. Miller, Muscoy
Ken Morrison, Yucca Valley
Kathy Murphy, Fawnskin
Mark Nuaimi, Fontana
Marvin Shaw, Lake Arrowhead
Doug Shumway, Apple Valley
Jean Stanton, Bloomington
Eric Swanson, Hesperia
County Staff
Julie Rynerson Rock, AICP, Director, Land Use Services Department
Randy Scott, AICP, Deputy Director, Advance Planning
Jim Squire, AICP, Supervising Planner
Carrie Hyke, AICP, Supervising Planner
Dave Prusch, AICP, Senior Associate Planner
Ron Matyas, Senior Associate Planner
Matt Slowik, REHS, Senior Associate Planner
Consultants to the County
URS Corporation
Frank Wein, DPDS, FAICP, Project Director
Jeff Rice, AICP, Assistant Project Manager
Dennis Papillion, Principal in Charge
Brian Smith, AICP, Environmental Manager
Kavita Mehta, AICP, Urban and Environmental Planner
Cynthia Gabaldon, Senior Engineer
Darryl Taylor, Environmental Planner
Christopher Chavez, Urban and Environmental Planner
Veronica Seyde, Senior Scientist
Tom Herzog, Senior Biologist
Diana Douglas, Senior Archaeologist
Paul Nguyen, Senior Air Quality Scientist
Chris Goetz, Senior Project Geologist
Jerry Zimmerle, Principal Engineer
Joe Devoy, GIS Specialist
Matt Eimers, GIS Analyst
Vidas Sekas, GIS Analyst
Kristin Hammond, Word Processor
Wayne Lim, Senior Graphic Designer
Hogle- Ireland, Inc.
Paul Ireland, Partner
Mike Thiele, AICP, Principal
Kimiko Lizardi, Project Manager
Ron Pflugrath, AICP
Jacobson and Wack
Bruce Jacobson, AICP, Principal
RBF Consulting
Laura Stearns, Planner
Stanley R. Hoffman Associates, Inc.
Stanley R. Hoffman, FAICP, President
Debbie L. Lawrence, AICP, Project Manager
Bravishwar Mallavarapu, Planner
ISMS, Inc.
Doug Mende, Vice President
Economics Politics, Inc.
John Husing, Vice President
Meyer, Mohaddes Associates
Viggen Davidian, P. E, Project Manager
Matthew Simons, T. E., Senior Transportation Engineer
Adolfo Ozaeta, Project Engineer
Yim Tse, Graphics Technician
Psomas
Dan McCroskey, PLS, Project Manager
Duane Haselfeld
Sergio Sanchez
Moore, Iacofano & Goltzman ( MIG)
Pat McLaughlin, Office Manager
Esmeralda Garcia, Project Associate
Special Acknowledgements
Bill Postmus, Past First District Supervisor and Chairman of the Board
Theresa Kwappenberg, Past Third District Planning Commissioner
Michael E. Hays, AICP, Past Director, Land Use Services Department
Sam Gennawey, Past Project Manager for MIG
Chuck Bell, Past GPAC Member
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
TABLE OF CONTENTS
April 12, 2007 Page i
I. INTRODUCTION I- 1
A. PURPOSE OF THE GENERAL PLAN..................................................... I- 1
1. Format of this General Plan ................................................................... I- 2
2. History of the San Bernardino County General Plan............................. I- 3
3. General Plan Update Process................................................................. I- 3
4. Public Participation................................................................................ I- 4
B. GENERAL PLAN DOCUMENTS ........................................................... I- 5
C. “ VISION” OF THE 2007 GENERAL PLAN ........................................... I- 8
1. Where we live ........................................................................................ I- 8
2. Where we work.................................................................................... I- 10
3. How we play ........................................................................................ I- 11
D. PLANNING STRUCTURE OF THE COUNTY........................................ I- 11
1. Regional Context ................................................................................. I- 12
2. Jurisdictional Issues ............................................................................. I- 12
3. Regional Statistical Areas.................................................................... I- 14
E. COUNTYWIDE GOALS AND POLICIES.............................................. I- 14
F. REGIONAL POLICIES ....................................................................... I- 15
1. Valley Planning Region....................................................................... I- 15
2. Mountain Planning Region .................................................................. I- 16
3. Desert Planning Region ....................................................................... I- 16
II. LAND USE ELEMENT II- 1
A. PURPOSE OF THE LAND USE ELEMENT ........................................... II- 1
1. Relationship to Other Elements of the General Plan ............................ II- 1
2. Input from Public Participation Program.............................................. II- 2
3. Land Use Map....................................................................................... II- 3
4. General Plan Land Use Zoning Designations....................................... II- 3
B. RESOURCE CONSERVATION ( RC) LAND USE ZONING
DISTRICT........................................................................................... II- 5
1. Purpose ................................................................................................. II- 5
2. Locational Criteria ................................................................................ II- 5
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) ................................ II- 6
C. AGRICULTURE ( AG) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT........................ II- 6
1. Purpose ................................................................................................. II- 6
2. Locational Criteria ................................................................................ II- 7
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) ................................ II- 7
D. RURAL LIVING ( RL) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT........................ II- 8
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Page ii April 12, 2007
1. Purpose ................................................................................................. II- 8
2. Locational Criteria ................................................................................ II- 8
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) ................................ II- 9
E. SINGLE RESIDENTIAL ( RS) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT............ II- 10
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 10
2. Locational Criteria. ............................................................................. II- 10
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 10
F. MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL ( RM) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT..... II- 11
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 11
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 11
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 12
G. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL ( CN) LAND USE ZONING
DISTRICT......................................................................................... II- 12
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 12
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 12
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 13
H. OFFICE COMMERCIAL ( CO).......................................................... II- 13
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 13
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 13
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 14
I. RURAL COMMERCIAL ( CR) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT .......... II- 14
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 14
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 14
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 15
J. HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL ( CH) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT..... II- 15
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 15
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 15
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 15
K. GENERAL COMMERCIAL ( CG) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT...... II- 15
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 15
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 16
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 16
L. SERVICE COMMERCIAL ( CS)......................................................... II- 16
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 16
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 16
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 17
M. COMMUNITY INDUSTRIAL ( IC) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT ..... II- 17
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 17
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 18
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 18
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April 12, 2007 Page iii
N. REGIONAL INDUSTRIAL ( IR) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT......... II- 19
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 19
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 19
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 20
O. INSTITUTIONAL ( IN) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT...................... II- 20
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 20
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 21
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 21
P. SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT ( SD) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT....... II- 21
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 21
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 21
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 22
4. Adopted Planned Development Applications..................................... II- 22
Q. FLOODWAY ( FW) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT .......................... II- 22
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 22
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 23
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 23
R. SPECIFIC PLAN ( SP) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT ...................... II- 23
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 23
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 23
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 23
S. OPEN SPACE ( OS) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT.......................... II- 24
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 24
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 24
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 24
4. Intergovernmental coordination.......................................................... II- 24
5. Land Use Planning in the Sphere of Influence ( SOI) Areas............... II- 25
6. Summary of SOI Build- Out Potential................................................. II- 25
T. COUNTYWIDE GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE LAND USE
ELEMENT ........................................................................................ II- 32
U. VALLEY REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE LAND USE
ELEMENT ........................................................................................ II- 42
V. MOUNTAIN REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE LAND USE
ELEMENT ........................................................................................ II- 42
W. DESERT REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE LAND USE
ELEMENT ........................................................................................ II- 46
III. CIRCULATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENT III- 1
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
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Page iv April 12, 2007
A. PURPOSE OF THE CIRCULATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
ELEMENT ........................................................................................ III- 1
1. Relationship to other elements of the General Plan............................. III- 1
2. Input from public participation program.............................................. III- 2
B. SUMMARY OF EXISTING CONDITIONS ............................................ III- 2
1. Circulation ........................................................................................... III- 2
C. SAN BERNARDINO ASSOCIATED GOVERNMENTS ( SANBAG)...... III- 3
1. Circulation Map ................................................................................... III- 4
2. Congestion Management Program ( CMP)........................................... III- 4
3. Scenic Routes....................................................................................... III- 6
4. Public Transportation........................................................................... III- 7
5. Commuter Service ............................................................................... III- 7
6. Amtrak ................................................................................................. III- 8
7. Airports ................................................................................................ III- 8
8. Trucking............................................................................................... III- 9
9. Rail Freight .......................................................................................... III- 9
10. Air Freight ......................................................................................... III- 10
11. Non- Motorized Facilities................................................................... III- 11
12. Bicycle Facilities ............................................................................... III- 12
13. Pedestrian Facilities ........................................................................... III- 12
14. Trails .................................................................................................. III- 12
15. Infrastructure...................................................................................... III- 13
16. Water.................................................................................................. III- 14
17. Water Supply and Groundwater ........................................................ III- 15
18. Wastewater ........................................................................................ III- 16
D. COUNTYWIDE GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE CIRCULATION
AND INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENT.................................................. III- 2
1. Infrastructure...................................................................................... III- 11
2. Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater ................................................. III- 13
3. Solid Waste........................................................................................ III- 22
4. Telecommunications.......................................................................... III- 24
5. Fire Protection ................................................................................... III- 25
6. Law Enforcement............................................................................... III- 26
7. Natural Gas and Electricity................................................................ III- 27
8. Education ........................................................................................... III- 27
E. VALLEY REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE CIRCULATION
AND INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENT................................................ III- 28
F. MOUNTAIN REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE
CIRCULATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENT........................ III- 29
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
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April 12, 2007 Page v
G. DESERT REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE CIRCULATION
AND INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENT................................................ III- 32
IV. HOUSING ELEMENT IV- 39
A. PURPOSE OF THE HOUSING ELEMENT.......................................... IV- 39
1. Relationship to other elements of the General Plan.......................... IV- 39
2. Input from public participation program........................................... IV- 40
3. Summary of existing conditions ....................................................... IV- 40
4. Housing Distribution Patterns........................................................... IV- 41
5. County Employment Trends and Distribution Patterns .................... IV- 41
B. COUNTYWIDE GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE HOUSING
ELEMENT ....................................................................................... IV- 42
C. VALLEY REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE HOUSING
ELEMENT ....................................................................................... IV- 62
D. MOUNTAIN REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE HOUSING
ELEMENT ....................................................................................... IV- 63
E. DESERT REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE HOUSING
ELEMENT ....................................................................................... IV- 64
V. CONSERVATION ELEMENT V- 1
A. PURPOSE OF THE CONSERVATION ELEMENT .................................. V- 1
1. Relationship to other elements of the General Plan.............................. V- 1
2. Input from public participation program............................................... V- 1
3. Recognized Important Biological Areas............................................... V- 2
B. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES— SENSITIVE PLANTS AND ANIMALS ..... V- 3
1. Valley Region Habitat .......................................................................... V- 3
2. Mountain Region Habitat...................................................................... V- 4
3. Desert Region Habitat........................................................................... V- 5
4. Cultural Resources................................................................................ V- 8
5. Paleontological Resources .................................................................... V- 9
6. Air Quality .......................................................................................... V- 10
7. Soils .................................................................................................... V- 11
C. COUNTYWIDE GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE CONSERVATION
ELEMENT ........................................................................................ V- 13
1. Biological Resources .......................................................................... V- 15
2. Cultural/ Paleontological Resources.................................................... V- 18
3. Air Quality .......................................................................................... V- 22
4. Water................................................................................................... V- 26
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Page vi April 12, 2007
5. Soils/ Agriculture................................................................................. V- 29
6. Minerals .............................................................................................. V- 31
7. Energy................................................................................................. V- 33
D. VALLEY REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE
CONSERVATION ELEMENT............................................................. V- 39
E. MOUNTAIN REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE
CONSERVATION ELEMENT............................................................. V- 39
F. DESERT REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE
CONSERVATION ELEMENT............................................................. V- 43
VI. OPEN SPACE ELEMENT VI- 1
A. PURPOSE OF THE OPEN SPACE ELEMENT....................................... VI- 1
1. Relationship to other elements of the General Plan............................ VI- 2
2. Input from public participation program............................................. VI- 2
3. Summary of existing conditions ......................................................... VI- 2
B. COUNTYWIDE GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE OPEN SPACE
ELEMENT ......................................................................................... VI- 6
C. VALLEY REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE OPEN SPACE
ELEMENT ....................................................................................... VI- 20
D. MOUNTAIN REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE OPEN
SPACE ELEMENT ........................................................................... VI- 20
E. DESERT REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE OPEN SPACE
ELEMENT ....................................................................................... VI- 22
VII. NOISE ELEMENT VII- 1
A. PURPOSE OF THE NOISE ELEMENT ............................................... VII- 1
1. Relationship to other elements of the General Plan........................... VII- 1
2. Input from public participation program............................................ VII- 2
3. Summary of existing conditions ........................................................ VII- 2
4. Sources of Noise in San Bernardino County ..................................... VII- 2
5. Conclusion ......................................................................................... VII- 3
B. COUNTYWIDE GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE NOISE ELEMENT... VII- 4
C. VALLEY REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE NOISE
ELEMENT ....................................................................................... VII- 7
D. MOUNTAIN REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE NOISE
ELEMENT ....................................................................................... VII- 7
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
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April 12, 2007 Page vii
E. DESERT REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE NOISE
ELEMENT ....................................................................................... VII- 7
VIII. SAFETY ELEMENT VIII- 1
A. PURPOSE OF THE SAFETY ELEMENT........................................... VIII- 1
1. Relationship to other elements of the General Plan.......................... VIII- 1
2. Input from public participation program........................................... VIII- 2
3. Summary of existing conditions ....................................................... VIII- 2
B. GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE SAFETY ELEMENT ...................... VIII- 9
C. VALLEY REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE SAFETY
ELEMENT ................................................................................... VIII- 30
D. MOUNTAIN REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE SAFETY
ELEMENT ................................................................................... VIII- 32
E. DESERT REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE SAFETY
ELEMENT ................................................................................... VIII- 33
IX. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT IX- 1
A. PURPOSE OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT............... IX- 1
1. Relationship to other elements of the General Plan............................ IX- 1
2. Input from public participation program............................................. IX- 2
3. Summary of existing conditions ......................................................... IX- 3
B. COUNTYWIDE GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT............................................................... IX- 9
C. VALLEY REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT............................................................. IX- 19
D. MOUNTAIN REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT............................................................. IX- 20
E. DESERT REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT............................................................. IX- 21
X. IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM X- 1
A. INTRODUCTION................................................................................. X- 1
B. ANNUAL REPORT.............................................................................. X- 1
C. SPECIFIC PLANS................................................................................ X- 2
D. ZONING ............................................................................................. X- 2
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page viii April 12, 2007
E. MISCELLANEOUS LAND USE PERMITS ............................................ X- 3
F. SUBDIVISIONS ................................................................................... X- 3
G. DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS ......................................................... X- 4
H. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM................................................ X- 4
I. REDEVELOPMENT PLAN................................................................... X- 5
J. SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY AIRPORT LAND USE PLANS ................ X- 5
K. HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE ELEMENT.................................. X- 6
L. SOURCE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING ELEMENT........................... X- 6
M. WASTEWATER MASTER PLAN ......................................................... X- 7
N. WATER MASTER PLANS................................................................... X- 7
O. STORM WATER FACILITIES PLANS.................................................. X- 7
P. PUBLIC FACILITIES FINANCING PLANS ........................................... X- 7
Q. NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
( NPDES) PERMIT NO. CAS618036................................................. X- 8
XI. GLOSSARY / ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS XI- 1
A. GLOSSARY ....................................................................................... XI- 1
B. ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS................................................. XI- 39
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
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April 12, 2007 Page ix
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE LU- 1. INDEX MAP............................................................................. II- 27
FIGURE CI- 1. MAJOR ROADS AND FREEWAYS – VALLEY REGION............... III- 17
FIGURE CI- 2. MAJOR ROADS AND FREEWAYS – MOUNTAIN REGION .......... III- 18
FIGURE CI- 3. MAJOR ROADS AND FREEWAYS – DESERT REGION................ III- 19
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE LU- 1: PRIMARY PURPOSE AND INTENDED USES OF LAND USE
ZONING DISTRICTS ................................................................. II- 28
TABLE LU- 2. SUMMARY COMPARISON OF BUILD- OUT POTENTIAL IN
SPHERES OF INFLUENCE .......................................................... II- 31
TABLE CI- 1. SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SEWER SERVICE
PROVIDERS .............................................................................. III- 1
TABLE OS- 1. TYPES OF OPEN SPACE USES.................................................. VI- 19
TABLE S- 1. LAND USE COMPATIBILITY CHART FOR 100- YEAR
FLOOD PLAINS .................................................................... VIII- 33
TABLE S- 2 LAND USE COMPATIBILITY CHART IN FAULT HAZARD
ZONES................................................................................. VIII- 34
TABLE S- 3. LAND USE COMPATIBILITY CHART IN LIQUEFACTION
POTENTIAL ZONES .............................................................. VIII- 35
TABLE S- 4. LAND USE COMPATIBILITY CHART IN LANDSLIDE
SUSCEPTIBILITY ZONES....................................................... VIII- 36
TABLE S- 5 LAND USE COMPATIBILITY IN AVIATION SAFETY
AREAS................................................................................. VIII- 37
TABLE ED- 1. COUNTY LABOR FORCE BY OCCUPATION: 1990 AND
2000......................................................................................... IX- 5
TABLE ED- 2. EMPLOYMENT BY SECTOR: 1991 AND 2002 ............................. IX- 6
TABLE ED- 3. AVERAGE PAY PER JOB: 1991 AND 2002 ................................. IX- 7
TABLE ED- 4. MAJOR COUNTY EMPLOYERS, 2006......................................... IX- 8
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION I – INTRODUCTION
April 12, 2007 Page I- 1
I. INTRODUCTION
A. PURPOSE OF THE GENERAL PLAN
he policies and programs of the General Plan are intended to underlie most
land use decisions. Preparing, adopting, implementing, and maintaining a
general plan serves to:
􀂃 Identify the community’s land use, transportation, environmental,
economic, and social goals and policies as they relate to land use and
development.
􀂃 Form the basis for local government decision- making, including decisions
on proposed development.
􀂃 Provide residents with opportunities to participate in the planning and
decision- making processes of their community.
􀂃 Inform residents, developers, decision makers, and other cities and
counties of the ground rules that guide development within the
community.
Every city and county in California is required by law to have a general plan for
its future development. A general plan is a blueprint that guides the “ physical
development of the county or city, and any land outside its boundaries which
bears relation to its planning” ( California Government Code § 65300). A general
plan must address the seven elements of Land Use, Circulation, Housing,
Conservation, Open Space, Safety and Noise. In addition, the County of San
Bernardino has chosen to address Economic Development, which is an optional
element.
The eight elements of this General Plan form a comprehensive set of planning
policies. The Land Use ( LU) Element designates the general distribution and
intensity of land uses within the unincorporated area of the County. The
Circulation and Infrastructure ( CI) Element identifies the general location and
extent of proposed transportation and infrastructure facilities and utilities. The
Housing ( H) Element is a comprehensive assessment of current and future
housing needs for all segments of the County population, as well as a program for
meeting those needs. The Open Space ( OS) Element describes measures for the
preservation of open space for the protection of natural resources, and for public
health and safety. The Conservation ( CO) Element addresses the conservation,
T
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SECTION II – LAND USE
Page I- 2 April 12, 2007
development, and use of natural resources. The Safety ( S) Element establishes
policies to protect the community from risks associated with natural and man-made
hazards such as seismic, geologic, flooding, wildfire hazards, and air
quality. The Noise ( N) Element identifies major noise sources and contains
policies intended to protect the community from exposure to excessive noise
levels. The Economic Development ( ED) Element establishes policies to
encourage and guide economic development within the County.
The California Supreme Court has called the general plan “ the constitution for
future development.” The general plan expresses the community’s development
goals and embodies public policy relative to the distribution of future land uses—
both public and private.
A general plan typically has four defining qualities:
General nature: The general plan provides guidance for the future, particularly
regarding growth and development. More precise direction is provided in plan
implementation mechanisms, such as annexations, zoning codes, design
regulations, annual budgets, and capital improvement programs.
Comprehensive scope: The general plan addresses a broad range of physical,
environmental, social, and economic factors affecting change within the
community. These factors include land use and circulation, the environment and
resources, economic and fiscal conditions, as well as a host of others.
Internal consistency: The concept of internal consistency holds that no policy
conflicts can exist, either textual or diagrammatic, between the components of an
otherwise complete and adequate general plan. Different policies must be
balanced and reconciled within the plan.
Long- term perspective: The general plan takes immediate concerns into
consideration, but focuses primarily on the future. The general plan projects
conditions and needs into the future as a basis for determining objectives. It also
establishes long- term policy for day- to- day decision- making based upon those
objectives. The background reports that supplement this volume present the
immediate concerns to be addressed in the General Plan.
1. FORMAT OF THIS GENERAL PLAN
The County of San Bernardino General Plan consists of 11 chapters. Chapter I
introduces the plan and its vision. Chapter II explains the planning structure of the
County. Chapters III through X present the seven required elements and one
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION I – INTRODUCTION
April 12, 2007 Page I- 3
optional element of the General Plan. The General Plan ends with Chapter XI,
which is the implementation program.
2. HISTORY OF THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY GENERAL PLAN
The area that would become the County of
San Bernardino was originally part of the
huge San Diego County in 1850. A year
later, it became part of the expanding Los
Angeles County. In April 1853, a bill was
introduced to split off the eastern portion
of Los Angeles County to form a separate
county; and on April 26, 1853, San
Bernardino County was created from parts
of Los Angeles, San Diego, and Mariposa
counties. In 1854, the City of San
Bernardino was incorporated as the
County seat. In 1893, Riverside County was created out of parts of San
Bernardino and San Diego counties.
The previous General Plan for San Bernardino County was adopted in July 1989.
Many physical and demographic changes have occurred since then, resulting in
new opportunities and challenges. For example, the population of the County
increased from 1,418,380 in 1990 to 1,833,000 in 2003, an increase of
approximately 30 percent. The previous General Plan needed to be updated to
reflect the changed demographic and economic conditions, altered growth
patterns, and current land uses.
Having a current and forward- looking general plan will:
􀂃 Guide future development;
􀂃 Facilitate economic development;
􀂃 Enhance neighborhoods and commercial areas; and
􀂃 Ensure adequate infrastructure services and community facilities to
support projected growth in the County.
3. GENERAL PLAN UPDATE PROCESS
To accomplish a successful update, the San Bernardino County Board of
Supervisors selected a project team consisting of the County Advance Planning
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Page I- 4 April 12, 2007
Division staff, the General Plan Advisory Committee ( GPAC), and a group of
planning consultants. The planning consultants are URS Corporation; Hogle-
Ireland, Inc.; Jacobson and Wack; RBF Consulting; Stanley R. Hoffman
Associates, Inc.; Economics and Politics, Inc.; Meyer, Mohaddes Associates;
Psomas; and Moore, Iacofano and Goltsman, Inc. ( MIG). The 13- member GPAC,
consisting of a cross section of community members from across the County,
appointed by the County Board of Supervisors, guided the update process, with
County staff and the consultants providing technical expertise and assistance.
The process of the General Plan Update preparation has had numerous individual
components, which can be grouped into the following eight phases:
􀂃 Phase 1 – Visioning,
􀂃 Phase 2 - Public Participation,
􀂃 Phase 3 - Background Reports,
􀂃 Phase 4 - General Plan Elements,
􀂃 Phase 5 - Community Plans,
􀂃 Phase 6 - Development Code,
􀂃 Phase 7 - Program Environmental Impact Report ( EIR), and
􀂃 Phase 8 - Final General Plan Update.
4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Throughout the preparation of this
General Plan Update, a number of
opportunities were provided to allow for
the widest public participation possible
within the constraints of the County’s
budget and geographic size. Efforts
included reaching out to special interest
groups, engaging the various geographical
parts of the County through meetings
where people live, and involving people
in the development of a vision and its
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION I – INTRODUCTION
April 12, 2007 Page I- 5
implementation.
Consistent with the direction from the Board of Supervisors, the General Plan
Update process included the following:
􀂃 A General Plan Advisory Committee was created, consisting of a
sufficient number of people to capture the diversity of the County.
Committee members were appointed by the Board of Supervisors to
reflect the social, business, political, and environmental interests of the
County.
􀂃 A General Plan Update website was set up through the County's website
where information can be posted and received ( see
http:// www. sbcounty. gov/ sbcountygeneralplan) or information can be
reviewed through the Land Use Services Department website at
www. sbcounty. gov/ landuseservices.
􀂃 An extensive public meeting program reached out geographically into the
County at convenient locations and at convenient times, such as early
evenings.
􀂃 Creating a framework that encouraged ongoing input and participation by
the major stakeholder and special interest groups throughout the County.
B. GENERAL PLAN DOCUMENTS
One objective in updating the San Bernardino County General Plan was to
simplify the plan and make it user- friendly. To achieve this objective, the General
Plan has been divided into a series of linked documents so that readers can find
the information needed without searching through a large amount of text. Below
is a summary of the five component documents that comprise the San Bernardino
County General Plan.
Background Report: This report provides a detailed description of the conditions
that exist within the County before the 2007 adoption of this General Plan.
Community Plans: Community Plans emerged as the collective vision of the
local area residents and stakeholders for guiding development in the
unincorporated County areas with distinct community identities. In the past,
unincorporated communities without the fiscal ability to incorporate as cities have
sought to preserve their community character and spirit through these plans.
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General Plan: The General Plan contains the goals and policies that will guide
future development within the County. It also identifies a full set of
implementation measures that will ensure the policies of the plan are carried out.
It describes the planning area, provides an overview of existing conditions,
summarizes the issues raised during the preparation of the General Plan, and
identifies the environmental resources and constraints associated with the General
Plan.
In addition to this text, the General Plan also includes a separately bound Housing
Element and the following maps:
1. Land Use Zoning District Maps ( series of over 125 maps):
These maps are published using the Assessor Parcel Map as the base map.
They show the designated land use zoning district for each parcel. Three
overlays – Additional Agriculture, Agricultural Preserve, and the Sign
Control – are also shown on these maps as a suffix to the land use zoning
district.
2. Hazard Overlay Maps ( series of over 90 maps):
These maps are published using the street network as the base maps
because the delineations of the various hazards are not intended to be
parcel specific. The hazards included on these maps include airport safety,
dam inundation, fire, flood, and noise.
3. Geologic Hazard Overlay Maps ( series of over 70 maps):
These maps are published using the street network as the base maps
because the delineations of the various hazards are not intended to be
parcel specific. The hazards included on these maps include State and
county designated earthquake fault zones, generalized landslide
susceptibility, generalized liquefaction susceptibility, and rockfall/ debris-flow
hazard areas.
4. Circulation Maps ( series of five maps):
These maps show the road designations for all roads with the following
classifications throughout the County: Freeway, Major Arterial Highway,
Major Divided Highway, Major Highway, Secondary Highway,
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION I – INTRODUCTION
April 12, 2007 Page I- 7
Controlled/ Limited Access Collector, Mountain Major Highway And
Mountain Secondary Highway.
5. Resource Overlay Maps
These maps show various natural resources that have been mapped
throughout the County. They include the following:
Biotic Resources Overlay Maps ( several maps):
These maps are published using the street network as the base maps
because the delineations of the various resources are not intended to be
parcel specific. The resources included on these maps to date include
the Desert Tortoise, the Mojave Ground Squirrel, the Bald Eagle, the
Southern Rubber Boa and the Delhi Flower- Loving Sand Fly. As
additional species are listed they will be added to these maps.
Open Space Overlay Map ( two maps):
These maps are published using the street network as the base maps
because the delineations of the various resources are not intended to be
parcel specific. The resources included on these maps include wildlife
corridors, major open space policy areas, regional trails, Areas of
Critical Environmental Concern, and the delineation of the scenic
corridors listed in the Open Space Element.
Cultural Resources Sensitivity Overlay Maps ( two maps to date):
These maps are published using the street network as the base maps
because the delineations of the resource sensitivity are not intended to
be parcel specific.
Paleontologic Resources Sensitivity Overlay Map:
These maps have not been prepared electronically to date. Once the
digitized maps are complete, they will be published using the street
network as the base maps because the delineations of the resource
sensitivity are not intended to be parcel specific.
Mineral Resources Overlay Map ( Not available yet):
These maps have not been prepared electronically to date. Once the
digitized maps are complete, they will be published using the street
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network as the base maps because the delineations of the resource
locations are not intended to be parcel specific.
6. Alternate Housing Overlay Map:
This map shows those areas in the Desert Region where alternate housing
standards apply.
Environmental Impact Report: The EIR prepared for the General Plan meets
the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act ( CEQA). The
Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors used the EIR during the process
of considering the draft General Plan to understand the potential environmental
implications associated with implementation of the General Plan.
Development Code: The Development Code has been revised to implement the
General Plan and to create a high- quality document that is clearly written and
easy to understand and use.
C. “ VISION” OF THE 2007 GENERAL PLAN
The following Vision Statement was developed by the citizens of the County
through an extensive public outreach program and further refined by the GPAC,
PC, and Board of Supervisors:
The 2007 General Plan recognizes the unique assets of individual communities in
the County to guide County decision- making by building on those assets, as well
as protecting and enhancing the quality of life throughout the County. As a
foundation for the goals and polices of the General Plan, this Vision Statement
describes ideal conditions to work toward during the next 20 years, as expressed
in the following desires for the future of where people live, work, and play in San
Bernardino County. References in each narrative below present various Goals
and Policies of the 2007 General Plan which directly implement various aspects
of the Vision.
1. WHERE WE LIVE
Our County offers residents a wide range of housing opportunities. Residents may
choose to live in traditional urban neighborhoods with a greater array of services
and amenities. Individuals may also choose a more “ rural” lifestyle, often with a
small- town atmosphere, room to breathe, and opportunities for self- reliance and
independence ( see Goal LU- 2).
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
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April 12, 2007 Page I- 9
Our vision for the future of the County includes:
􀂃 Continued “ rural” character in many areas of the County, with buffering
as needed adjacent to more urban areas ( see Goal LU- 2).
􀂃 A sense of “ place” and community identity in distinct communities where
residents may choose to remain in unincorporated neighborhoods ( see
Goal LU- 10).
􀂃 Housing in a variety of styles, densities, and price ranges ( see Goals H- 2,
H- 4, H- 5, H- 7, and H- 9).
􀂃 Safe neighborhoods with good schools, activities for youth and seniors,
and programs for residents of all ages ( see Goals CI- 20).
􀂃 Convenient access to public school classes from kindergarten through
high school ( K- 12) and higher educational opportunities for all ( see Goal
CI- 20).
􀂃 A functional, safe and convenient transportation system, including public
transit and trails for bicycles, pedestrians, and horses ( see Goal CI- 1).
􀂃 Clean air and a reliable clean water supply ( see Goal CI- 12).
􀂃 Growth and development consistent with the maintenance of
environmental quality ( see Goal LU- 7).
􀂃 Communities that allow residents and visitors to enjoy the natural and
local setting within reasonable limits of infrastructure, service capacities,
and public health and safety, including fire safety and prevention ( see
Goal LU- 8).
􀂃 Preservation of dark night skies in rural areas ( see Goals M/ CO- 5 and
D/ CO- 3).
􀂃 Conservation/ preservation of the natural environment, which defines and
enhances our quality of life ( see Goal CO- 1).
􀂃 Preservation of land and air space serving national defense and
cooperative planning with military installations to minimize land use
conflicts ( see Goal LU- 11, and Policies LU- 11.2 and S- 8.1).
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2. WHERE WE WORK
As San Bernardino County gains recognition as the crossroads of global, multi-modal
transportation and commerce, with an abundance of affordable land and a
skilled workforce, more employers will choose to locate facilities here, and the
role of our County in the regional economy will continue to grow. At the same
time, the local regulatory environment will encourage innovation and free
enterprise to provide other economic opportunities for County residents.
Our vision for the future of the County includes:
􀂃 Excellence in public schools and higher education to support, enhance,
and expand the skills of the local workforce ( see Goal ED- 2).
􀂃 A vibrant and thriving local economy that spans a variety of industries,
services, and other sectors, thereby reducing commuting distance to jobs
( see Goals ED- 1, H- 13, and LU- 5).
􀂃 Vocational training programs geared toward supporting local employers
( see Goal ED- 3).
􀂃 Reasonable performance- based rules to encourage home- based businesses
( see Goal ED- 5).
􀂃 Assistance in the development of small businesses and encouragement of
new businesses of all sizes ( see Goal ED- 4).
􀂃 Conservation of mineral resources for responsible productive use by
extractive industries ( see Goal ED- 7).
􀂃 Leading the region as a multi- modal transportation hub and spurring
economic development through air, rail, and highway systems ( see Goal
ED- 8).
􀂃 Agriculture as an economic activity in areas where production is viable
( see Goal ED- 6).
􀂃 Expanded access to communications technology and network resources
( see Goal CI- 15).
􀂃 Opportunities for the use of alternative energy sources ( see Goal CO- 8).
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
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April 12, 2007 Page I- 11
3. HOW WE PLAY
The plentiful open space in San Bernardino County serves County residents and
attracts people from other areas as they pursue a wide variety of recreational
activities: hiking, camping, off- highway vehicle traveling, fishing, horseback
riding, star- gazing, winter sports, youth athletics, performing arts, and other
entertainment. In addition, County residents have regional access to beaches and
other attractions in coastal areas.
Our vision for the future of the County includes:
􀂃 Extension, enhancement, and increased connectivity of trail systems
throughout the County ( see Goals CI- 6 and OS- 2).
􀂃 Local parks and recreational amenities throughout the County ( see Goal
OS- 1).
􀂃 Expansion of cultural and entertainment opportunities countywide ( see
Goals OS- 4, CO- 3).
􀂃 Recovery and maintenance of multi- use access to public lands, including
regional parks, national parks, national forests, state parks, and Bureau of
Land Management areas ( see Goal OS- 4).
D. PLANNING STRUCTURE OF THE COUNTY
San Bernardino County, with a land area of 20,106 square miles, is the largest
County in the continental United States. The County traverses approximately 13
percent of the state’s area. San Bernardino County is located in the southeastern
portion of the State of California. It is bordered by Los Angeles County, Orange
County, and Kern County on the west, the Colorado River and the States of
Arizona and Nevada on the east, Riverside County on the south, and Inyo County
and the southwest corner of Clark County, Nevada on the north.
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1. REGIONAL CONTEXT
San Bernardino County holds an important
place in the fast growing Southern
California region. We are no longer a
county “ adjacent” to Los Angeles and
Orange counties, but an integral part of the
entire region facing more or less similar
opportunities and constraints. The
extraordinary growth that Orange County
experienced from the 1950s through the
1970s is forecasted for both San Bernardino
and Riverside counties for the current and
the future decades.
A study of the growth trend over the past few decades in the Southern California
Association of Government’s ( SCAG’s) six- county region ( which covers Ventura,
Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and Imperial counties) reveals a
continued decentralization of population. Before 1950, the majority of the growth
in the six counties took place in Los Angeles County. From 1950 to 1970, Orange
County had phenomenal growth with decennial growth rates of more than 200
percent. During the 1970s, growth slowed down in all the counties, with the
exception of Imperial County. Between 1980 and 1990, Ventura County residents
began to vote for slow growth, and Orange County growth slowed because of lack
of available space and other constraints. Population growth expanded eastward to
San Bernardino and Riverside counties, with both counties reaching the one
million mark in population.
2. JURISDICTIONAL ISSUES
Although San Bernardino County is the largest county in the contiguous United
States, the span of control of the Board of Supervisors over the entire County is
limited. This General Plan has been undertaken with full recognition of these
limitations of land use jurisdiction and other governmental structure issues. These
issues are presented below; all acreages and percentages in the following
discussion are approximated and presented for descriptive purposes.
a. Federal and state agencies own and control most of the County lands
b. First and foremost, of the almost 13 million acres comprising San
Bernardino County, approximately 10.5 million acres ( 81 percent of the
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SECTION I – INTRODUCTION
April 12, 2007 Page I- 13
total) are outside governing control of the County Board of Supervisors.
This land is referenced as “ non- jurisdiction” land or “ non- jurisdiction”
territory. Of this non- jurisdiction land, approximately 6 million acres are
owned and controlled by the Federal Bureau of Land Management; and
1.9 million acres are owned and controlled by the United States
Department of Defense.
c. “ Non- jurisdiction” territory is fragmented and scattered throughout the
County
d. The fact that the vast majority of the County territory is outside the control
of the Board of Supervisors is further compounded by the scattered
distribution of these non- jurisdiction properties. Rather than one singular
unified ownership pattern ( such as a military base or a national park), the
non- jurisdiction territory is distributed throughout the Mountain and
Desert planning regions, interspersed with other parcels owned by private
entities, which are regulated by the County Board of Supervisors. Such
fragmentation of property ownership and land use regulations can be
addressed only through comprehensive land use planning in San
Bernardino County.
e. Incorporated cities control land use on a portion of the remaining land
f. As stated, 81 percent of the total land area of the County is outside any
control of the County Board of Supervisors. Of the remaining 19 percent
of the County’s total land area, approximately 4 percent lies within 24
incorporated cities. Fifteen percent ( about 1.9 million acres) is entirely
under County jurisdiction. While the County influences a certain degree of
development activity within these cities ( primarily administrative
buildings, criminal justice facilities, and certain limited infrastructure,
including County- maintained roads), the city councils of these 24 cities
directly regulate land use and planning within these cities.
g. Conclusion: The General Plan provides an opportunity for the Board of
Supervisors to exercise leadership in resolving many inter- jurisdictional
policies
h. Only 15 percent of the total land area in San Bernardino County is
regulated by the County Board of Supervisors. Nevertheless, many of the
issues identified in this General Plan span all of the above jurisdiction and
non- jurisdiction areas. Therefore, the General Plan provides an ideal
opportunity for the Board of Supervisors to influence public policies on
federal and state lands, even though the Board does not have direct
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jurisdictional control of these areas. In addition, many policies in the
General Plan address areas of commonality between the County and cities
regarding their spheres of influence
3. REGIONAL STATISTICAL AREAS
The Southern California Association of Governments ( SCAG) has divided the
area within its jurisdiction into Regional Statistical Areas ( RSAs) for purpose of
collecting and analyzing pertinent statistical information of a variety of issues.
Seven of these areas are located within San Bernardino County. These RSAs are
as follows:
RSA 28: Area including the cities of Chino, Chino Hills, Fontana ( western
portion), Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga and Upland.
RSA 29: Area including the cities/ communities of Bloomington, Colton,
Fontana ( eastern portion), Highland, Muscoy, Redlands, Rialto, San
Bernardino and Yucaipa.
RSA 30: Area including all of the communities in the Mountain Region.
RSA 31: Area in the north desert including the communities of Amboy,
Baker, Goffs, Harvard, Kelso, Ludlow, Newberry Springs, Nipton, Red
Mountain and Trona.
RSA 32: Area including the cities/ towns/ communities of Adelanto, Apple
Valley, Barstow, Helendale, Hesperia, Hinckley, Kramer Junction, Lucerne
Valley, Phelan, Silver Lakes, Victorville and Yermo.
RSA 33: Area including the cities/ towns/ communities of Joshua Tree,
Landers, Morongo Valley, Pioneertown, Rimrock, Twentynine Palms and
Yucca Valley.
RSA 34: Area including the city/ communities of Earp, Essex, Havasu Lake,
Needles, Parker and Vidal.
E. COUNTYWIDE GOALS AND POLICIES
In the context of community planning, a goal is a general direction- setter. It is an
ideal future condition or end related to the public, health, safety, or general
welfare. A goal is a general expression of community values and, therefore, may
be abstract in nature. Consequently, a goal is generally not quantifiable or time-
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
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April 12, 2007 Page I- 15
dependent. A policy, by contrast, is a specific statement that guides decision-making
for the County. It indicates a commitment of the Board of Supervisors,
the County’s local legislative body, to a particular course of action. Policies must
be clear and unambiguous. A policy is based on and helps to implement the
General Plan’s goals.
San Bernardino County is vast, consisting of three distinct geographic regions: the
Valley, the Mountains, and the Desert. The General Plan was prepared keeping in
mind these distinctions between the three geographic regions while, at the same
time, being mindful of the need to have unified goals and policies that would
address countywide issues and opportunities. Most of the policies within the
General Plan addresses the County in its entirety and are referred to as
countywide policies. Countywide policies are presented under each element of the
General Plan.
F. REGIONAL POLICIES
The three diverse planning regions of the County vary not only by terrain, but also
in the issues and opportunities they face. The three planning regions provide an
opportunity to formulate custom- tailored solutions for each region. Policies have
been drafted that relate to, and address specifically, each particular planning
region and are called Regional Policies. These Regional Policies are presented
after the countywide Policies under each of the eight elements. The three planning
regions of the County can be further described as follows:
1. VALLEY PLANNING REGION
The Valley Planning
Region is defined as all
the area within the
County that is south
and west of the U. S.
Forest Service
boundaries. The San
Bernardino range,
trending southeast,
forms the eastern limit
of the Valley, along
with the Yucaipa and
Crafton Hills. The southern limits of the valley are marked by alluvial highlands
extending south from the San Bernardino and the Jurupa Mountains. The Valley
Planning Region of the County is approximately 60 miles east of the Pacific
Ocean and borders Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties. It is
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approximately 50 miles long from west to east and encompasses 500 square
miles. It covers only 2.5 percent of the total County land, but holds approximately
75 percent of the County’s population. Most of the valley land is incorporated.
2. MOUNTAIN PLANNING REGION
North of the Valley Planning Region is the Mountain Planning Region, consisting
of the San Bernardino and San Gabriel ranges. Of the 872 square miles within this
planning region, approximately 715 square miles are public lands managed by
state and federal agencies— principally, the U. S. Forest Service. The region
contains forests, meadows, and lakes. The San Gabriel Mountains, which extend
from Los Angeles County, form the western end of the Mountain Planning
Region. The San Gabriel Mountains comprise about one- third of the Mountain
Planning Region, with the San Bernardino Mountains making up the remainder.
3. DESERT PLANNING REGION
The Desert Planning Region, the largest of the three planning regions, includes a
significant portion of the Mojave Desert and contains about 93 percent ( 18,735
square miles) of the land within San Bernardino County. The Desert Planning
Region is defined as including all of the unincorporated area of San Bernardino
County lying north and east of the Mountain Planning Region. The Desert
Planning Region is an assemblage of mountain ranges interspersed with long,
broad valleys that often contain dry lakes.
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April 12, 2007 Page II- 1
II. LAND USE ELEMENT
he Land Use Element functions as a guide to planners, the general public,
and decision makers as to the ultimate pattern of development for the
County of San Bernardino. The Land Use Element has perhaps the
broadest scope of the County of San Bernardino’s General Plan elements. In
theory, it plays a central role in correlating all land use issues into a set of
coherent development policies. Its objectives, policies, and programs relate
directly to the other elements. It is the most visible and often- used element in
local general planning. Although all general plan elements carry equal weight, the
Land Use Element is often perceived as being most visible expression of the
General Plan because of its pivotal role in zoning, subdivision, and public works
decisions. The Element’s goals, policies and programs provide a long- range
context for those short- term actions.
A. PURPOSE OF THE LAND USE ELEMENT
The Land Use Element is a guide for the County of San Bernardino’s future
development. It designates the distribution and general location of land uses, such
as residential, retail, industrial, open space, recreation, and public areas. The Land
Use Element also addresses the permitted density and intensity of the various land
use designations as reflected on the County’s General Plan Land Use Diagram.
1. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE GENERAL PLAN
Consistent with California Government Code Section 65302( a), the Land Use
Element must address each of the following issues: distribution of housing,
business, and industry; distribution of open space, including agricultural land;
distribution of mineral resources and provisions for their continued availability;
distribution of recreation facilities and opportunities; location of educational
facilities, public buildings and grounds; location of future solid and liquid waste
facilities; identification of areas subject to flooding; and identification of existing
Timberland Preserve Zone lands.
The Land Use Element and its associated General Plan Land Use Diagram are
intended to capture and communicate the County of San Bernardino’s long- term
vision for future development. Of all the General Plan elements required by state
law, the Land Use Element has the broadest scope. Because it governs how land is
to be utilized, virtually all of the issues and politics contained in other elements
relate in some degree to the Land Use Element. In addition, California
T
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Government Code Section 65300.5 requires internal consistency among the
various elements of a General Plan.
2. INPUT FROM PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROGRAM
Through a public outreach process
in preparation for the drafting of
the County of San Bernardino’s
General Plan, the public identified
the following issues that directly
relate to the Land Use Element:
A. Overwhelmingly,
respondents value their quality of life in the County and want to preserve
the unique qualities and diversity of their communities. At the same time,
they understand that growth is inevitable and stress the importance of
protecting these unique qualities and community identity.
A significant number of respondents value the ethnic diversity in the County and
advocate the fair and equal treatment of all residents.
A small number were concerned with improving the image of the County, both
internally and externally.
The majority of respondents identified growth as a major issue and cited the need
to balance the pace of growth between the population, housing, economy,
industry, businesses, schools, health care, open space, parks, and infrastructure,
including roads, utilities, street lights, sewers, and sidewalks.
A large number of residents stressed the need for the creation and maintenance of
roads in the County — paved and unpaved, urban and rural.
A significant number of respondents called for more controlled and planned
growth coupled with environmental protection to ensure prosperity in all areas of
the County. One comment expressed this tension as “ Industry versus nature and
the delicate balance between the two,” and another was pessimistic about
“ Constantly striving for growth with no regard for environment or quality of life.”
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
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April 12, 2007 Page II- 3
A significant number of residents were concerned about the growing population
density.
A small number of respondents stressed the need to reuse or redevelop
older/ abandoned/ historic buildings instead of accommodating growth only in new
buildings. County residents noted, “ Too many empty buildings being left behind
to build new ones,” and questioned, “ How to upgrade older sections of town and
prevent them from becoming slums.”
A small number identified a need to develop arts and cultural institutions to
balance growth in other areas and increase access to the arts in the County.
A significant number of residents called for the need to match the pace of school
development with housing development and growth in the County.
3. LAND USE MAP
The “ one- map approach” permits the use of a single map showing both General
Plan land use designations and zoning classifications. The one- map approach
assures that there will always be land use consistency between the County's
General Plan and its Zoning Code. Given the size of the County and the
dimensional limits of this document, the land use diagram is neither accurate nor
to scale. For precise detail refer to the land use diagram on file with the County.
In some instances, current lot sizes are smaller than the minimum lot sizes for the
designated land uses. In these instances, further subdivision of land may be
precluded.
Figure LU- 1 presents an Index Map of the 2007 General Plan Maps. The Index
Map and all detailed maps can be viewed on the 2007 General Plan CD Map
adopted concurrent with the General Plan text. These maps include:
1. Biotic Resources Overlay Maps ( several maps).
2. Open Space Overlay Map ( two maps).
3. Cultural Resources Sensitivity Overlay Maps ( two maps to date).
4. Paleontologic Resources Sensitivity Overlay Map ( Not available yet).
5. Mineral Resources Overlay Map ( Not available yet).
4. GENERAL PLAN LAND USE ZONING DESIGNATIONS
There are 18 land use zoning districts that apply only to privately owned lands in
the County and not to the lands controlled by other jurisdictions. Lands that are
controlled by other jurisdictions, including lands controlled by federal and state
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agencies as well as incorporated cities, are mapped to identify the public agencies
that control them. The 18 land use zoning districts ( see Table LU- 1) are as
follows: Resource Conservation ( RC), Agriculture ( AG), Rural Living ( RL),
Single Residential ( RS), Multiple Residential ( RM), Office Commercial ( CO),
Neighborhood Commercial ( CN), Rural Commercial ( CR), Highway Commercial
( CH), General Commercial ( CG), Service Commercial ( CS), Community
Industrial ( IC), Regional Industrial ( IR), Institutional ( IN), Special Development
( SD), Floodway ( FW), Specific Plan ( SP), and Open Space ( OS).
The purpose, location criteria, building intensity standards, population density,
and the intended uses of each land use zoning district are specified. The building
intensity standards specified for each land use zoning district may be modified by
provisions contained in the County Development Code, Title 8 of the County
Code. Also, individual planning areas may specify higher or lower housing
densities, and/ or smaller or larger minimum parcel sizes. A brief description of
the intended uses in each land use zoning district is presented herein; the County
Development Code, Title 8 of the County Code, contains a complete listing of the
uses permitted in each land use zoning district.
No land use zoning district created by the conversion of previous land use and
zone districts will be required to meet the minimum parcel sizes set forth for each
district below. New land use zoning district changes approved under this General
Plan must meet with those minimum size requirements except as provided below.
Resource Conservation ( RC) comprises the majority ( 55.98 percent) of the
designated land uses in the County. This land use designation covers over 1
million acres, or about 1,500 square miles of land. Most of the land within this
designation is publicly owned ( federal and state) and includes national parks,
military bases, conservation areas, and lands owned by other federal and state
agencies. The County has designated approximately 681,500 acres or 1,065
square miles ( 37.92 percent) for residential uses. Out of this, about 587,535 acres
( 32.76 percent of total unincorporated area) are designated Rural Living, 67,691
acres are designated Single Residential, while 4,986 acres are designated Multiple
Residential.
Commercial land use zoning districts ( Office Commercial, Neighborhood
Commercial, Rural Commercial, Highway Commercial, General Commercial,
and Service Commercial) occupy a total of 12,177 acres or 0.68 percent of the
total unincorporated area. Industrial land use zoning districts ( including
Community Industrial and Regional Industrial) occupy 21,834 acres or 1.21
percent of the total unincorporated area. Other land use designations include
Agriculture occupying 41,793 acres ( 2.32 percent), Institutional occupying
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April 12, 2007 Page II- 5
8,567.51 acres ( 0.48 percent), Floodway occupying 20,281 acres ( 1.13 percent),
and Specific Plan occupying 4,861.37 acres ( 0.27 percent). LU- 2 summarizes the
primary purpose and intended uses of each land use zoning district. The districts
are further defined in the following subsections.
The following Land Use Designations are presented on the Land Use Diagram.
These General Plan Land Use Designations describe the extent of the uses of land
within the County. They include standards of population density and building
intensity, in conformance with Section 65302( a) of the Government Code. These
Land Use Designations are hereby adopted and incorporated into the 2007
General Plan.
B. RESOURCE CONSERVATION ( RC) LAND USE ZONING
DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To encourage limited rural development that maximizes preservation of
open space, watershed and wildlife habitat areas.
􀂃 To identify areas where rural residences may be established on lands
with limited grazing potential but which have significant open space
values.
􀂃 To prevent inappropriate urban population densities in remote and/ or
hazardous areas of the County.
􀂃 To establish areas where open space and non- agricultural activities are
the primary use of the land, but where agriculture and compatible uses
may co- exist.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas generally distant from urban
centers with existing land uses
including limited grazing, passive
public and private recreation areas,
rural residences and vacation cabins
and watershed, wildlife and open space
uses.
􀂃 Areas with steep terrain and limited
access.
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􀂃 Areas with high scenic values.
􀂃 Areas with limited or no infrastructure facilities and where none are
planned within the next twenty years.
􀂃 Areas within any Hazard Protection and/ or Resource Preservation
Overlay except Agriculture Preserve ( AP) Overlay.
􀂃 Areas where development rights have been transferred to other areas via
development approvals and set aside for open space and recreation uses.
􀂃 Areas shown on the Open Space Map in which limited development may
occur while maintaining desired open space values.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
On the average, there are 4.82 persons per household in the unincorporated
portions of the Valley Planning Region, 2.54 persons per household in the
Mountain Planning Region and 2.68 persons per household in the Desert Planning
Region. The MPDA, per square mile, for this district for the Valley, Mountain
and Desert Planning Regions are approximately 77 persons, 41 persons, and 43
persons, respectively.
C. AGRICULTURE ( AG) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To recognize commercial agriculture as a desirable land use type and a
major segment of the County's economic base.
􀂃 To identify areas where agriculture is the primary land use but where
other secondary uses that directly support agricultural uses may be
permitted.
􀂃 To preserve the agricultural base of the County economy and encourage
the open space values of these uses.
􀂃 To provide areas for both intensive and extensive agricultural pursuits.
􀂃 To identify areas of commercial ( prime and non- prime) agricultural soils
and operations.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 7
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas previously designated as
agricultural preserve, whether or
not they are under contract.
􀂃 Areas that may be eligible for
designation as an agricultural
preserve.
􀂃 Areas where the only residential
uses allowed are for property
owners or employees actively
engaged in agricultural
operations.
􀂃 Rural areas where existing land uses are mainly truck crops, specialty
crops, row and field crops, irrigated crops and pasture, irrigated
vineyards and orchards, dry farm orchards and vineyards, dry farm and
grain, and grazing and rangeland on parcels of 10 acres or greater.
􀂃 Areas where parcel sizes and ownership patterns are sufficiently large to
accommodate agricultural operation, buffered from incompatible land
uses.
􀂃 Areas with limited infrastructure facilities and where limited public
improvements will be planned or developed in the next 20 years.
􀂃 Areas that are not adjacent to a Single or Multiple Residential ( RS or
RM) District, except where the minimum parcel size in the Residential
District is 1 acre or larger.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
On the average, there are 4.82 persons per household in the unincorporated
portions of the Valley Planning Region, 2.54 persons per household in the
Mountain Planning Region and 2.68 persons per household in the Desert Planning
Region. The MPDA, per square mile, for this district based on its ten acre
minimum lot size for the Valley, Mountain and Desert Planning Regions are
approximately 309 persons, 163 persons, and 172 persons, respectively.
The Agricultural ( AG) Land Use Zoning District is divided into subdistricts based
on the minimum lot size. These subdistricts are as follows: AG- 160, which has a
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minimum lot size of 160 acres; AG- 80, which has a minimum lot size of 80 acres;
AG- 40, which has a minimum lot size of 40 acres; and AG- 20, which has a
minimum lot size of 20 acres. The MPDA for the sub- districts in the three
Planning Regions are as follows ( rounded to the nearest person per square mile):
Maximum Population Density Average - Agriculture
Valley Planning
Region
Mountain Planning
Region
Desert Planning
Region
AG- 160 19 persons psm* 10 persons psm* 11 persons psm*
AG- 80 39 persons psm* 20 persons psm* 21 persons psm*
AG- 40 77 persons psm* 41 persons psm* 43 persons psm*
AG- 20 154 persons psm* 81 persons psm* 86 persons psm*
* per square mile
D. RURAL LIVING ( RL) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To encourage appropriate rural development where single family
residential use is primary.
􀂃 To identify areas where rural residences may be established and where
associated related animal uses may be permitted.
􀂃 To prevent inappropriate demand for urban services.
􀂃 To establish areas where non- agricultural activities are the primary use
of the land, but where agriculture and compatible uses may coexist.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas generally adjacent to urbanizing
centers, with existing land uses that
include limited agriculture; mining and
quarrying; energy production
operations; public and private
recreation areas; rural residences and
vacation cabins; and watershed,
wildlife, and open space uses.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 9
􀂃 Areas with limited, low- density development or mountainous areas with
moderate slopes or soils of poorer quality than in agricultural areas.
􀂃 Areas where rural residences are the primary use of the land, but where
agriculture and other compatible uses, such as hunting clubs, dude
ranches, RV parks, etc., may be found or located.
􀂃 Areas with soil conditions suitable for limited agriculture capability,
which may nevertheless be eligible for Agricultural Preserve status.
􀂃 Areas with partial public services and limited public improvements.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
On the average, there are 4.82 persons per household in the unincorporated
portions of the Valley Planning Region, 2.54 persons per household in the
Mountain Planning Region and 2.68 persons per household in the Desert Planning
Region. The MPDA, per square mile, for this district based on its two and one-half
acre minimum lot size for the Valley, Mountain and Desert Planning Regions
are approximately 1234 persons, 650 persons, and 686 persons, respectively.
The Rural Living ( RL) Land Use Zoning District is divided into subdistricts based
on the minimum lot size. These subdistricts are as follows: RL- 40, which has a
minimum lot size of 40 acres; RL- 20, which has a minimum lot size of 20 acres;
RL- 10, which has a minimum lot size of 10 acres; and RL- 5, which has a
minimum lot size of 5 acres. The MPDA for the sub- districts in the three Planning
Regions are as follows ( rounded to the nearest person per square mile):
Maximum Population Density Average – Rural Living
Valley Planning
Region
Mountain Planning
Region
Desert Planning
Region
RL- 40 77 persons psm* 41 persons psm* 43 persons psm*
RL- 20 154 persons psm* 81 persons psm* 86 persons psm*
RL- 10 308 persons psm* 163 persons psm* 172 persons psm*
RL- 5 617 persons psm* 325 persons psm* 343 persons psm*
* per square mile
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E. SINGLE RESIDENTIAL ( RS) LAND USE ZONING
DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To provide areas for single- family homes on individual lots.
􀂃 To provide areas for accessory and non- residential uses that complement
single residential neighborhoods.
􀂃 To discourage incompatible non- residential uses in single- family
residential neighborhoods.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA.
􀂃 Areas that are not adjacent to
Regional Industrial or
Agriculture Districts, except
where the ultimate minimum
residential parcel sizes will be 1
acre or larger.
􀂃 Areas that are within 1 mile of
major arterial and/ or existing
major public transit routes.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
On the average, there are 4.82 persons per household in the unincorporated
portions of the Valley Planning Region, 2.54 persons per household in the
Mountain Planning Region and 2.68 persons per household in the Desert Planning
Region. The MPDA, per square mile, for this district based on its 7,200 square
foot minimum lot size for the Valley, Mountain and Desert Planning Regions are
approximately 12,339 persons, 6,502 persons and 6,860 persons, respectively.
The Single Residential ( RS) Land Use Zoning District is divided into subdistricts
based on the minimum lot size. These subdistricts are as follows: RS- 1, which has
a minimum lot size of 1 acre; RS- 20M, which has a minimum lot size of 20,000
square feet, RS- 14 M, which has a minimum lot size of 14,000 square feet; and
RS 10, which has a minimum lot size of 10,000 square feet.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 11
The MPDA for the subdistricts in the three Planning Regions are as follows
( rounded to the nearest person per square mile):
Maximum Population Density Average – Single Residential
Valley Planning
Region
Mountain Planning
Region
Desert Planning
Region
RS- 1 3,085 persons psm* 1,626 persons psm* 1,715 persons psm*
RS- 20M 6,719 persons psm* 3,541 persons psm* 3,736 persons psm*
RS- 14M 9,598 persons psm* 5,058 persons psm* 5,337 persons psm*
RS- 10M 13,437 persons psm* 7,081 persons psm* 7,471 persons psm*
* per square mile
F. MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL ( RM) LAND USE ZONING
DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To provide areas for attached, detached, and/ or mixed residential
development with a wide range of densities and housing types.
􀂃 To efficiently relate higher- density residential development to
community utilities and facilities as well as site characteristics.
􀂃 To locate parcels appropriate for development at higher residential
densities in closer proximity to community services and facilities.
􀂃 To offer a wide range of residential living environments.
􀂃 To allow diverse non- residential activities compatible with a multifamily
neighborhood.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas of existing multi- family
development.
􀂃 Areas that have or are programmed to
receive full urban services.
􀂃 Areas with slopes generally less than
16 percent. ( Increased lot sizes will be
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required as slope increases.)
􀂃 Areas in centralized urban locations having close proximity to major
commercial and public facilities, where urban infrastructure, circulation,
and neighborhood and community facilities that are capable of handling
high- density residential development are located or planned.
􀂃 Areas that are not adjacent to a Regional Industrial ( IR) District,
Agriculture ( AG) District and/ or mining operations, except where the
area is large enough to leave a buffer yard of 75 feet between the
Districts and/ or uses, or when the area reserved for open space within a
multiple family development is 60% or greater.
􀂃 Areas adjacent to or near a major arterial and/ or existing major public
transit routes.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
On the average, there are 4.82 persons per household in the unincorporated
portions of the Valley Planning Region, 2.54 persons per household in the
Mountain Planning Region and 2.68 persons per household in the Desert Planning
Region. The MPDA, per square mile, for this district for the Valley, Mountain
and Desert Planning Regions are approximately 61,696 persons, 32,512 persons,
and 34,304 persons, respectively.
G. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL ( CN) LAND USE
ZONING DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
To provide suitable locations for retail and service commercial establishments
intended to meet daily convenience needs of a residential area.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas adjacent to or in close
proximity to residential
districts/ uses.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 13
􀂃 Areas adjacent to a major arterial street or any road intersection.
􀂃 Areas with less than 20 percent slopes.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
Residential uses, except social care facilities, are not permitted in commercial
districts. MPDA for this type of district is 1,000 persons per square mile.
H. OFFICE COMMERCIAL ( CO)
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To provide office and space for professional groups in community
centers and civic areas.
􀂃 To allow for public and quasi- public uses that are compatible with a
centralized urban location or a transitional area.
􀂃 To provide for the concentration of office uses for their mutual benefit
and convenience as well as convenience to the general public.
􀂃 To establish areas for the conduct of business in a manner that will
minimize conflicts and adverse impacts on other land uses.
􀂃 To encourage conversion and renovation of historic or architecturally
significant buildings located in office and professional areas.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas set aside to support
concentration of office uses,
making office and professional
activities more visible and easily
accessible to the public.
􀂃 Peripheral areas of central business
districts near commercial and
public uses.
􀂃 Areas between a residential district and a major highway or more
intensive commercial or industrial districts.
􀂃 Areas of mixed, non- residential uses compatible with business activities.
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􀂃 Areas with primary access from a major arterial or collector, avoiding
the use of local residential streets for services and deliveries.
􀂃 Areas adjacent to a major arterial, major divided highway, or freeway
and/ or that are within one- half ( 0.5) mile of a public transit route.
􀂃 Areas with full urban services and infrastructure facilities.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
Residential uses, except social care facilities, are not permitted in commercial
districts. MPDA for this type of district is 640 persons per square mile.
I. RURAL COMMERCIAL ( CR) LAND USE ZONING
DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
To provide sites in rural areas where a range of commercial services intermixed
with residential uses can be established which are limited in scope and intensity
and meet the needs of the remote population and the traveling public.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Rural areas that have a low
concentration of population not
exceeding 500 people per square
mile.
􀂃 Areas along major remote
thoroughfares or intersections.
􀂃 Areas where a mixture of uses
can coexist without conflict and
there is no need to use multiple commercial districts to separate land
uses.
􀂃 Areas where there is no competing commercial core.
􀂃 Areas where special design considerations are not necessarily required to
ensure compatibility with surrounding land uses and the community.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 15
􀂃 Areas not within any city sphere of influence.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
The Rural Commercial Land Use Zoning District allows primary residential uses
to be intermixed with commercial uses. MPDA for this type of district is 500
persons per square mile.
J. HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL ( CH) LAND USE ZONING
DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
To provide suitable locations for retail and service commercial establishments
intended to meet the daily convenience needs of the traveling public.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas occupied or intended to be occupied by a relatively contiguous
grouping of businesses that provide transient services to travelers on
major highways.
􀂃 Areas designed to preserve a block of land for the use of small,
somewhat isolated transient commercial uses along major highways.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
Residential uses, except social care facilities, are not permitted in commercial
districts. MPDA for this type of district is 1,000 persons per square mile.
K. GENERAL COMMERCIAL ( CG) LAND USE ZONING
DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
Provide appropriately located areas for stores, offices, service establishments, and
amusements offering a wide range of commodities and services scaled to meet
neighborhood and community needs.
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2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Concentrated retail business and
service areas that supply daily
community commercial needs.
􀂃 Areas of retail commercial uses in
central business districts providing
local and regional trade services.
􀂃 Areas adjacent to a major arterial
street, highway, or freeway or at the
intersection of two major arterial
streets.
􀂃 Areas with full urban services and infrastructure facilities.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
Residential uses, except social care facilities, are not permitted in commercial
districts. MPDA for this type of district is 1,500 persons per square mile.
L. SERVICE COMMERCIAL ( CS)
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To provide suitable areas for a mixture of commercial and industrial
uses, including manufacturing uses, where they will not adversely affect
surrounding properties.
􀂃 To provide suitable locations for retail, wholesale, intensive commercial,
and service establishments.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas normally characterized by
heavy commercial, service, and
small- scale industrial uses.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 17
􀂃 Areas where uses generally serve occasional needs rather than day to- day
needs.
􀂃 Areas that will not create incompatible land use mixtures with the
intended uses of this district.
􀂃 Areas located to promote infill and restructuring of existing heavy and
service commercial areas and discourage proliferation of scattered
service uses.
􀂃 Areas appropriate for developments using planned development concepts
where unified landscaping, signing, building design, service capabilities,
and adequate circulation can be ensured.
􀂃 Areas with access from major streets and/ or major arterial streets to
avoid use of residential streets for access or deliveries.
􀂃 Areas that are either at the intersection of two major arterial streets or
adjacent to a major arterial street, major divided street, or freeway, or
served by railroad access.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
Residential uses, except social care facilities, are not permitted in commercial
districts. MPDA for this type of district is 1,500 persons per square mile.
M. COMMUNITY INDUSTRIAL ( IC) LAND USE ZONING
DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To identify and establish areas suited to industrial activities.
􀂃 To provide opportunities for the concentration of industrial uses to
enable efficient use of transportation, circulation, and energy facilities.
􀂃 To protect adjacent land uses from harmful influences, as well as to
prevent the intrusion of incompatible uses into industrial areas.
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2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas located within urban areas
where full urban services are
available.
􀂃 Areas of existing industrial uses.
􀂃 Areas physically suited for
industrial activities.
􀂃 Areas that are or can be adequately
buffered from adjacent uses in
other land use categories.
􀂃 Areas adjacent to major transportation terminals and energy facilities.
􀂃 Areas where industrial traffic is not routed through residential or other
areas not compatible with industrial traffic.
􀂃 Areas that are at the intersection or have direct access to major arterial,
major divided streets, or a freeway, or are served by railroad access.
􀂃 Areas appropriate for development of large acreages using the concepts
of planned development to provide industrial parks with unified
landscaping, signing, building design, services, infrastructure, and
circulation.
􀂃 Areas located peripheral to urban areas where residential or long- term
agricultural uses are inappropriate.
􀂃 Areas that have stable soil with average slope of 10 percent or less.
􀂃 Rural areas where there is a demonstrated need for industrial land uses.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
Residential uses, except caretaker or accessory residential uses ( one per legally
created parcel), are not permitted in the IC District. MPDA for this type of district
is 640 persons per square mile.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 19
N. REGIONAL INDUSTRIAL ( IR) LAND USE ZONING
DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To identify and establish areas suitable for major industrial centers or a
single large industrial plant having 200,000 or more square feet of floor
area, or more than 500 employees on any shift.
􀂃 To provide sites for industrial uses which have severe potential for
negative impacts on any uses this would locate relatively close to them.
􀂃 To identify areas intended eventually to be utilized for industrial
purposes to support the public need for manufacturing uses and
employment opportunities.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas located within urban
areas where full urban services
are available.
􀂃 Areas of existing industrial
uses.
􀂃 Areas physically suited to
industrial activities.
􀂃 Areas that are or can be
adequately buffered from
adjacent uses in other land use
categories.
􀂃 Areas adjacent to major transportation terminals and energy facilities.
􀂃 Areas where industrial traffic is not routed through residential or other
areas not compatible with industrial traffic.
􀂃 Areas that have direct access to a major arterial, major divided streets, or
freeways, or are served by railroad access.
􀂃 Areas appropriate for development of large acreages using the concepts
of planned development to provide industrial parks with unified
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landscaping, signing, building design, services, infrastructure, and
circulation.
􀂃 Areas located peripheral to urban areas where residential or long- term
agricultural uses are inappropriate.
􀂃 Areas that have stable soil with average slope of 10 percent or less.
􀂃 Rural areas where there is a demonstrated need for industrial land uses.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
Residential uses, except caretaker units or accessory residential uses ( one per
legally created parcels), are not allowed in the IR District. MPDA for this type of
district is 256 persons per square mile.
O. INSTITUTIONAL ( IN) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To identify existing lands and structures committed to public facilities
and public agency uses and proposed public facilities, where site
selection has not occurred.
􀂃 To provide areas for development of future public facilities to meet
public needs.
􀂃 To enable identification of potential facility locations that satisfy both
community and regional needs relating to the population levels being
served.
􀂃 To identify potential facility sites in advance of immediate need so that
facility design and location may be based on the character of the area
being served and can also be compatible with and supportive of the
comprehensive plans of agencies within the facility service area.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 21
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas with existing public or quasi-public
facilities and uses, or publicly
owned lands intended for
development with public facilities.
􀂃 Areas that satisfy the specialized site
location requirements of public
facilities, where facilities will be
visible and accessible to their users.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
Residential uses are not permitted in the Institutional District. MPDA for this type
of district is 1,000 persons per square mile.
P. SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT ( SD) LAND USE ZONING
DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To allow a combination of residential, commercial, and/ or manufacturing
activities that maximizes the utilization of natural as well as man- made
resources.
􀂃 To identify areas suitable for large- scale planned developments and to
allow cluster- type development to provide more open space.
􀂃 To allow joint planning efforts, such as Specific Plans, Area Plans, etc.,
among adjacent land owners and jurisdictions.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
Areas that need or require
special planning studies.
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3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
The MPDA will vary, but not exceed 43,187 persons per square mile in the Valley
Planning Region, 22,758 persons per square mile in the Mountain Planning
Region, and 24,013 persons per square mile in the Desert Planning Region. This
assumes a maximum housing density of 20 dwelling units per acre.
4. ADOPTED PLANNED DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS
Whenever a Planned Development application is processed and adopted by the
Board of Supervisors, a General Plan Amendment will be processed and adopted
concurrently. The General Plan Amendment will indicate that there has been
some type of change to the development standards or allowed uses within the area
included within the boundaries of the Planned Development application. This
General Plan Amendment will be annotated on the Land Use Zoning District
Maps as a suffix to the Special Development District. The suffix will include the
letters “ PD” and the year of adoption and the sequence number of the specific
Planned Development application that had been approved for that specific year
[ e. g. ( PD- 2006- 01)].
Q. FLOODWAY ( FW) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To identify and preserve areas for flood flow, such as the channel of a
river or drainage way, and those portions of the floodway adjoining the
channels required to effectively carry the discharge of floodwater or
flood flow of any river or stream.
􀂃 To protect floodways from encroachment by land uses that would be
endangered when floodway channels are full or are overflowing into that
portion of an adjacent floodplain that becomes part of the channel.
􀂃 To prohibit occupancy or the encroachment of any structure,
improvement, or development that would unduly affect the capacity of
the floodway or unduly increase flood heights.
􀂃 To prevent the loss of life or property caused by floodwater runoff.
􀂃 To designate natural and man- made floodways and their adjacent areas
on a map to coordinate flood drainage and land development.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 23
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas identified as major flood
channels by the Drainage Section
of the County Department of
Public Works.
􀂃 Areas where extensive flooding
conditions require the curtailment
of development.
􀂃 Areas that have been identified,
mapped, and designated as floodway by the Federal Flood Insurance
Administration.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
Residential uses, except houseboats, are not permitted in the Floodway District.
MPDA for this district is 10 persons per square mile.
R. SPECIFIC PLAN ( SP) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To designate an area that encompasses the boundaries of an adopted
Specific Plan
􀂃 To allow joint planning efforts among adjacent land owners and
jurisdictions.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
Areas that need or require special
planning studies.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
The MPDA will vary, but not exceed 43,187 persons per square mile in the Valley
Planning Region, 22,758 persons per square mile in the Mountain Planning
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Page II- 24 April 12, 2007
Region, and 24,013 persons per square mile in the Desert Planning Region. This
assumes a maximum housing density of 20 dwelling units per acre.
S. OPEN SPACE ( OS) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
To maintain open space on property legally constrained by deed restrictions on
the property.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
Applied only to land that is legally
constrained from future
development.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
The MPDA for this district is zero persons per square mile.
4. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION
Jurisdictional Issues
There are over 250 units of federal, state and local governments operating within
the jurisdictional limits of the County. Coordination between all these agencies
and all County departments is essential for the development and implementation
of the General Plan. Such coordination is particularly crucial to:
􀂃 Resolve potential land use conflicts between the County and the federal
and state agencies, such as the Department of Defense ( DOD) and the
Department of the Interior ( DOI), which have jurisdictional control over
the majority of land in the County.
􀂃 Ensure the joint planning efforts of the County and the incorporated cities,
regarding land development policies in the sphere of influence ( SOI)
areas.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 25
All lands controlled by a jurisdiction other than the County are coded to indicate
the agencies that control them on the land use zoning districts map. This includes
land controlled by the incorporated cities, federal agencies such as the Bureau of
Land Management ( BLM), and the DOD, and other state and public agencies.
Federal land ownership is expected to change relatively little during the plan
period, although occasional land exchanges are anticipated especially between
private parties and the BLM or the U. S. Forest Service. On the other hand,
incorporated land area is expected to increase as a result of annexations and
incorporations, thereby reducing the amount of land that is subject to the County's
policies and regulations.
5. LAND USE PLANNING IN THE SPHERE OF INFLUENCE ( SOI)
AREAS
The incorporated cities are often critical of the land use decisions made by the
County in the sphere of influence areas. The cities' major concerns are that:
􀂃 Some of the land uses proposed by the County for the SOI areas are not
compatible with, and are not logical extensions of, the adjacent land uses
within the cities' boundaries.
􀂃 County development standards are relatively lax, depreciating the quality
of the permitted development and adversely affecting the neighborhoods,
including adjacent areas within the cities.
􀂃 The review procedures employed by the County do not include urban
design and architectural design considerations used by many cities.
Section 65300 of the California Government Code places a dual mandate on both
cities and counties relating to land use planning within spheres of influence. The
land use policies adopted for the SOI areas are designed to encourage annexations
or incorporations. In the Inland Valley Development Agency ( IVDA) area, the
County has a policy of neutrality as to annexation or incorporation, and these
actions are neither encouraged nor discouraged.
6. SUMMARY OF SOI BUILD- OUT POTENTIAL
Table LU- 3 compares residential, commercial, and industrial build- out potential
for each of the spheres according to the County land use designations to the build-out
potential according to various cities’ land use designations. According to the
County land use designations, the spheres have a total build- out potential of
148,932 dwelling units, 109 million square feet of commercial space, and 302.4
125
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE
Page II- 26 April 12, 2007
million square feet of industrial space. According to the cities’ land use
designations, the spheres have a total build- out capacity of 124,853 dwelling
units, 72.3 million square feet of commercial spaces, and 244.8 million square
feet of industrial space. As seen in the table, the holding capacity within the
spheres is higher according to the County land use designations as compared to
the cities’ land use designations.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 27
Figure LU- 1. Index Map
125
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
Page II- 28 April 12, 2007
Table LU- 1: Primary Purpose and Intended Uses of Land Use Zoning Districts
Land Use Zoning
District
Permitted Density
( du/ ac) or
Permitted
Intensity ( FAR)
Minimum
Parcel Size
Minimum
District Size
Max Building
Coverage
Max
Building
Height
Intended Uses
1 Resource Conservation ( RC) 1 unit per 40 acres 40 gross acres 200 acres None specified 35 feet This district provides sites for open space and recreational
activities, single- family homes on very large parcels and similar
and compatible uses.
Agriculture ( AG) 1 unit per 10 acres 10 gross acres 100 acres None specified 35 feet
AG- 160 1 unit per 160 acres 160 gross acres None specified 35 feet
AG- 80 1 unit per 80 acres 80 gross acres None specified 35 feet
AG- 40 1 unit per 40 acres 40 gross acres None specified 35 feet
2
AG- 20 1 unit per 20 acres 20 gross acres None specified 35 feet
This district provides sites for commercial agricultural operations,
agriculture support services, rural residential uses and similar and
compatible uses. Open space and recreation uses may occur on
non- farmed lands within this district.
Rural Living ( RL)
1 unit per 2 1/ 2 acres 2.5 gross acres 30 acres 20% 35 feet
RL- 40 1 unit per 40 acres 40 gross acres 35 feet
RL- 20 1 unit per 20 acres 20 gross acres 35 feet
RL- 10 1 unit per 10 acres 10 gross acres 35 feet
3
RL- 5 1 unit per 5 acres 5 gross acres 35 feet
This district provides sites for rural residential uses, incidental
agricultural uses, and similar and compatible uses.
Single Residential ( RS) 1 unit per .25 acre 7,200 sq. feet 10 acres 40% 35 feet
RS- 1 1 unit per 1 acre 1 acre 35 feet
RS- 20M 1 unit per 20,000 sf 20,000 sf 35 feet
RS- 14M 1 unit per 14,000 sf 14,000 sf 35 feet
4
RS- 10M 1 unit per 10,000 sf 10,000 sf 35 feet
This district provides sites for single- family residential uses and
similar and compatible uses.
5 Multiple Residential ( RM) 1 unit per .05 acre 10,000 sf 10 acres 60% 35 feet This district provides sites for multiple residential uses, mixed
residential uses, and similar and compatible non- residential uses
and activities.
6 Neighborhood Commercial
( CN)
FAR =
Valley .3: 1
Mountain .25: 1
Desert .25: 1
1 acre 1 acre 40% 35 feet This district provides sites for retail trade and personal services,
repair services, professional services, recreation and
entertainment services, and similar and compatible uses.
7 Office Commercial ( CO) FAR =
Valley .75: 1
Mountain .5: 1
Desert .5: 1
5 acres 5 acres 60% 60 feet This district provides sites for professional services, and similar
and compatible uses.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 29
Land Use Zoning
District
Permitted Density
( du/ ac) or
Permitted
Intensity ( FAR)
Minimum
Parcel Size
Minimum
District Size
Max Building
Coverage
Max
Building
Height
Intended Uses
8 Rural Commercial ( CR)
FAR =
Valley .3: 1
Mountain .25: 1
Desert .3: 1
2.5 acres 2.5 acres 60% 35 feet This district provides sites for retail trade and personal services,
repair services, lodging services, recreation and entertainment
services, transportation services, and similar and compatible uses.
Agriculture and residential uses are also allowed, but are
secondary in importance.
9 Highway Commercial ( CH)
FAR =
Valley .5: 1
Mountain .3: 1
Desert .3: 1
5 acres 5 acres 65% 60 feet This district provides sites for retail trade and personal services,
lodging services, office and professional services, recreation and
entertainment services, wholesaling and warehousing,
contract/ construction services, transportation services, and similar
and compatible uses.
10 General Commercial ( CG) FAR =
Valley .5: 1
Mountain .5: 1
Desert .5: 1
5 acres 5 acres 60% 60 feet This district provides sites for retail trade and personal services,
lodging services, office and professional services, recreation and
entertainment services, wholesaling and warehousing,
contract/ construction services, transportation services, open lot
services, and similar and compatible uses.
11 Service Commercial ( CS)
FAR =
Valley .5: 1
Mountain .4: 1
Desert .3: 1
5 acres 5 acres 65% 60 feet This district provides sites for a mixture of heavy commercial uses
and light industrial uses including light manufacturing uses, and
similar and compatible uses.
12 Community Industrial ( IC) FAR =
Valley .45: 1
Mountain .4: 1
Desert .4: 1
5 acres 5 acres 70% 75 feet This district provides sites for light industrial uses such as light
manufacturing uses, wholesale/ warehouse services,
contract/ construction services, transportation services, agriculture
support services, incidental commercial and accessing residential
uses, and similar and compatible uses.
13 Regional Industrial ( IR) FAR =
Valley .55: 1
Mountain .4: 1
Desert .6: 1
5 acres 30 acres 70% 150 feet This district provides sites for heavy industrial uses that have the
potential to generate severe negative impacts, incidental
commercial uses, agricultural support services, salvage
operations, and similar and compatible uses.
14 Institutional ( IN) FAR =
Valley .75: 1
Mountain .5: 1
Desert .5: 1
None indicated None indicated 70% 150 feet This district provides sites for public and quasi- public uses
facilities, and similar and compatible uses.
Table LU- 1: Primary Purpose and Intended Uses of Land Use Zoning Districts ( Cont.)
125
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
Page II- 30 April 12, 2007
Land Use Zoning
District
Permitted Density
( du/ ac) or
Permitted
Intensity ( FAR)
Minimum
Parcel Size
Minimum
District Size
Max Building
Coverage
Max
Building
Height
Intended Uses
15 Special Development ( SD) FAR =
Valley .5: 1
Mountain .3: 1
Desert .3: 1
40 acres 40 acres 70% 50 feet This district provides sites for a combination of residential,
commercial, industrial, agricultural, open space and recreation
uses, and similar and compatible uses.
16 Floodway ( FW) FAR =
Valley .5: 1
Mountain .3: 1
Desert .3: 1
Not applicable 10 acres None specified None specified This district provides sites for animal raising, grazing, crop
production, and similar and compatible uses.
17 Specific Plan ( SP) FAR =
Valley .5: 1
Mountain .3: 1
Desert .3: 1
As determined by
the Specific Plan
As determined
by the Specific
Plan
As determined by
the Specific Plan
As determined
by the Specific
Plan
This district provides sites for a combination of residential,
commercial, industrial, agricultural, open space, recreational, and
similar compatible uses as determined by the Specific Plan.
18 Open Space ( OS) FAR =
None specified
Not applicable None specified None specified This district provides sites for open space and recreational uses,
and similar and compatible uses.
Table LU- 1: Primary Purpose and Intended Uses of Land Use Zoning Districts ( Cont.)
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 31
Table LU- 2. Summary Comparison of Build- Out Potential in Spheres of Influence
Residenital Commercial Industrial Residenital Commercial Industrial
( Dwelling Units) ( Square Feet) ( Square Feet) ( Dwelling Units) ( Square Feet) ( Square Feet)
Adelanto 3,837 0 0 14,977 6,031,666 5,634,094
Apple Valley 21,450 5,472,047 53,875,725 1,096 0 0
Barstow 16,576 14,090,242 18,041,002 20,418 87,120 16,257,245
Big Bear Lake 95 0 0 0 0 0
Chino 1,665 2,432,955 1,573,685 2,885 181,863 1,561,182
Colton 1,172 0 2,148,558 2,644 0 167,253
Fontana 19,564 16,625,384 152,274,014 17,378 20,771,586 127,382,944
Hesperia 14,538 6,357,551 12,339,810 6,176 2,779,128 1,469,889
Highland 48 0 0 0 0 0
Loma Linda 2,059 1,603,355 345,200 793 639,330 0
Montclair 545 17,231,701 4,866,517 1,913 2,951,155 1,358,305
Needles 839 0 0 0 0 0
Rancho Cucamonga 7,975 0 0 1,670 0 0
Redlands 13,950 5,225,307 16,339,035 8,820 832,967 3,028,176
Rialto 10,553 17,246,679 20,146,635 16,361 29,347,897 70,837,708
San Bernardino 18,689 12,848,775 12,738,521 14,045 1,036,401 7,577,265
Twentynine Palms 4,174 496,302 0 0 0 0
Upland 235 7,995,981 1,902,624 6,604 0 0
Victorville 10,616 1,748,573 5,816,812 9,072 7,605,140 9,517,512
Yucaipa 349 0 0 0 0 0
Total 148,932 109,374,851 302,408,139 124,853 72,264,254 244,791,572
Sources: County of San Bernardino Land Use Services Department, San Bernardino County Information Services Department – Geographic Information
Management System ( GIMS), and various city general plans
Sphere of Influence Build- Out Per County Land Use
Designations
Sphere of Influence Build- Out Per Cities Land Use
Designations
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
Page II- 32 April 12, 2007
T. COUNTYWIDE GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE LAND
USE ELEMENT
GOAL LU 1. The County 1 will have a compatible and harmonious
arrangement of land uses by providing a type and mix of
functionally well- integrated land uses that are fiscally
viable and meet general social and economic needs of the
residents.
POLICIES
LU 1.1 Develop a well- integrated mix of residential, commercial, industrial,
and public uses that meet the social and economic needs of the
residents in the three geographic regions of the County: Valley,
Mountain, and Desert2.
LU 1.2 The design and siting of new development will meet locational and
development standards to ensure compatibility of the new
development with adjacent land uses and community character.
Programs
1. Discourage linear commercial development of shallow depth along
streets or highways when it can be shown that such development
impairs traffic flow or detracts from the aesthetic enjoyment of the
surroundings, or if it can be demonstrated that equally effective
services can be provided in an alternative configuration.
2. Establish special performance standards for industrial uses to
control industrial odors, air pollution, noise pollution, vibrations,
dust, hours of operation, exterior storage, and other nuisances.
LU 1.3 Promote a mix of land uses that are fiscally self- sufficient.
LU 1.4 Encourage preservation of the unique aspects of the rural communities
and their rural character.
1 “ County” refers to only the unincorporated portion of San Bernardino County that are under the jurisdiction of
the county and the Board of Supervisors. That is, unless otherwise indicated, these goals, policies and programs
are applicable only to the unincorporated portions of the county.
2 The County’s Development Code provides the standards, requirements, and procedures to determine how,
when, and where mixed- used opportunities will be identified and evaluated for feasibility.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 33
GOAL LU 2. Residential land uses will be provided in a range of styles,
densities, and affordability and in a variety of areas to live,
ranging from traditional urban neighborhoods to more
“ rural” neighborhoods.
POLICIES
LU 2.1 Promote varied approaches to residential development to foster a
variety of housing types and densities and more efficient use of the
land.
Programs
1. Allow innovative residential development, such as clustering as a
means of achieving more efficient housing construction and
providing larger areas of usable common open space and avoiding
natural hazards.
2. Establish a system to award density bonuses in return for special
design, infrastructure improvements, extra amenities, usable open
space, or other developer efforts.
LU 2.2 When more intensive development is proposed adjacent to developed
large lots, then the new development shall be required to provide
adequate buffering, so that compatibility between rural residential uses
and more urban uses may be maintained.
GOAL LU 3. The unincorporated communities within the County will be
sufficiently served by commercial land uses through a
combination of commercial development within cities and
unincorporated communities.
POLICIES
LU 3.1 Protect areas best suited for commercial uses by virtue of their
location, access to major arterials, and availability of infrastructure and
other utilities, from other incompatible uses.
Programs
1. Continue to prepare and update demand estimates for commercial
land relative to population patterns.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
Page II- 34 April 12, 2007
GOAL LU 4. The unincorporated communities within the County will be
sufficiently served by industrial land uses.
POLICIES
LU 4.1 Protect areas best suited for industrial activity by virtue of their
location and other criteria from residential and other incompatible
uses.
Programs
1. Develop information and data based on industrial land uses, trends,
employment and production. Monitor changes in location of
industrial lands and demand for such lands, and identify
opportunities and constraints for new industrial development.
2. Develop demand estimates for industrial land based on analysis of
trends of industrial land absorption and development.
GOAL LU 5. Reduce traffic congestion and air pollution and improve the
quality of life for County residents by providing
employment and housing opportunities in close proximity
to each other.
POLICIES
LU 5.1 When a change in permitted land use( s) is proposed, review
development applications to ensure that housing and employment
opportunities ( current and projected) are located in close proximity to
each other, acknowledging housing and employment opportunities
within both unincorporated County areas and cities.
LU 5.2 Provide sufficient incentives to encourage development of areas
designated for commercial and industrial uses to be developed to
provide employment opportunities.
Programs
1. Develop a priority application process for commercial and
industrial development that would improve the County’s
jobs/ housing balance.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 35
GOAL LU 6. Promote, where applicable, compact land use development
by mixing land uses, creating walkable communities, and
strengthening and directing development towards existing
communities.
POLICIES
LU 6.1 Mixed- use developments will be encouraged in unincorporated areas
of the County for projects that have adequate acreage to accommodate
different land uses while providing buffers and other mechanisms to
minimize or avoid land use conflicts.
LU 6.2 To expand opportunities for future employment centers in the
unincorporated County, recruit industrial and commercial development
to urban infill areas.
Programs
1. The County Economic Development Agency will provide
information to prospective firms regarding targeted in- fill areas.
LU 6.3 To support the expansion of opportunities for future employment,
promote use of grants for upgrading infrastructure in urban infill areas.
Programs
1. Prioritize capital improvements and public works to upgrade urban
infill areas, including supporting creation of improvement districts,
except where prohibited by other regulations and policies.
LU 6.4 To facilitate future development of employment centers, design
incentive actions to be consistent and compatible with adopted
applicable city sphere of influence policies and other regulations and
policies.
GOAL LU 7. The distribution of land uses will be consistent with the
maintenance of environmental quality, conservation of
natural resources, and the preservation of open spaces.
POLICIES
LU 7.1 Ensure that land use developments within the state- delineated Mineral
Resource Zones ( MRZs) are in accordance with the adopted mineral
resources management policies of the County.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
Page II- 36 April 12, 2007
LU 7.2 Enact and enforce regulations that will limit development in
environmentally sensitive areas, such as those adjacent to river or
streamside areas, and hazardous areas, such as flood plains, steep
slopes, high fire risk areas, and geologically hazardous areas.
GOAL LU 8. Beneficial facilities, such as schools, parks, medical
facilities, sheriff and fire stations, libraries, and other
public uses, as well as potentially hazardous sites, will be
equitably distributed throughout the County.
POLICIES
LU 8.1 Potentially polluting, hazardous, and other health risk facilities should
be located no closer than one- quarter mile to a sensitive receptor and
vice versa.
LU 8.2 Review development proposals to minimize impacts, such as air
emissions, on sensitive receptors.
LU 8.3 Locate fire department facilities in such a fashion as to maximize
service delivery in an equitable fashion to all portions of the County.
Programs
1. Create a County Fire Master Plan that will identify the various
areas of the County and provide standards of coverage
commensurate with the various characteristics of the County but
whose goal is to achieve the levels of service established by the
National Fire Protection Association ( NFPA) 1710 and 1720.
2. Require developments to prepare a Fire Plan that will describe the
impacts on the County Fire Department and the measures
necessary to mitigate the cumulative impacts of that development
on the existing service delivery system.
3. Apply the County Fire Master Plan standards to all developments
and to areas that have a high potential for development such that
the impacts of future developments are mitigated in advance by
commensurate improvements to the fire service delivery system in
the County.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 37
GOAL LU 9. Development will be in a contiguous manner as much as
possible to minimize environmental impacts, minimize
public infrastructure and service costs, and further
countywide economic development goals.
POLICIES
LU 9.1 Encourage infill development in unincorporated areas and sphere of
influence ( SOI) areas.
LU 9.2 Discourage leap- frog development and urban sprawl by restricting the
extension or creation of new urban services or special districts to areas
that cannot be sustained in a fiscally responsible manner.
Programs
1. Consider the adoption of regulations and plans, whenever possible,
such as the adoption of overlays, specific plans, zoning studies,
infrastructure support plans, and other appropriate mechanisms that
encourage annexation and the use of city standards within sphere
of influence areas.
LU 9.3 In order to ensure a logical land use pattern for specific areas and to
minimize the review time on environmental and design issues for
submitted applications, discourage General Plan Land Use Zoning
District Amendments that are submitted w

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COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
2007 GENERAL PLAN
Prepared for:
County of San Bernardino
Land Use Services Division
385 North Arrowhead Avenue, 1st Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415- 0182
Adopted March 13, 2007
Effective April 12, 2007
Prepared by:
URS Corporation
2020 East First Street, Suite 400
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Acknowledgements
The following individuals contributed to preparation of the
San Bernardino County General Plan
Board of Supervisors
Brad Mitzelfelt, First District Supervisor
Paul Biane, Second District Supervisor, Chairman
Dennis Hansberger, Third District Supervisor
Gary Ovitt, Fourth District Supervisor, Vice Chairman
Josie Gonzales, Fifth District Supervisor
Planning Commission
Ken Anderson, First District
Michael Cramer, Second District
Bill Collazo, Third District
Mark Dowling, Fourth District, Vice Chairman
Audrey Mathews, Fifth District, Chair
General Plan Advisory Committee ( GPAC)
Mark Bulot, Redlands
Ted Dutton, Lake Arrowhead
Scott Frier, Helendale
Matt Jordan, Redlands
Michael Kreeger, Chino Hills
Jornal K. Miller, Muscoy
Ken Morrison, Yucca Valley
Kathy Murphy, Fawnskin
Mark Nuaimi, Fontana
Marvin Shaw, Lake Arrowhead
Doug Shumway, Apple Valley
Jean Stanton, Bloomington
Eric Swanson, Hesperia
County Staff
Julie Rynerson Rock, AICP, Director, Land Use Services Department
Randy Scott, AICP, Deputy Director, Advance Planning
Jim Squire, AICP, Supervising Planner
Carrie Hyke, AICP, Supervising Planner
Dave Prusch, AICP, Senior Associate Planner
Ron Matyas, Senior Associate Planner
Matt Slowik, REHS, Senior Associate Planner
Consultants to the County
URS Corporation
Frank Wein, DPDS, FAICP, Project Director
Jeff Rice, AICP, Assistant Project Manager
Dennis Papillion, Principal in Charge
Brian Smith, AICP, Environmental Manager
Kavita Mehta, AICP, Urban and Environmental Planner
Cynthia Gabaldon, Senior Engineer
Darryl Taylor, Environmental Planner
Christopher Chavez, Urban and Environmental Planner
Veronica Seyde, Senior Scientist
Tom Herzog, Senior Biologist
Diana Douglas, Senior Archaeologist
Paul Nguyen, Senior Air Quality Scientist
Chris Goetz, Senior Project Geologist
Jerry Zimmerle, Principal Engineer
Joe Devoy, GIS Specialist
Matt Eimers, GIS Analyst
Vidas Sekas, GIS Analyst
Kristin Hammond, Word Processor
Wayne Lim, Senior Graphic Designer
Hogle- Ireland, Inc.
Paul Ireland, Partner
Mike Thiele, AICP, Principal
Kimiko Lizardi, Project Manager
Ron Pflugrath, AICP
Jacobson and Wack
Bruce Jacobson, AICP, Principal
RBF Consulting
Laura Stearns, Planner
Stanley R. Hoffman Associates, Inc.
Stanley R. Hoffman, FAICP, President
Debbie L. Lawrence, AICP, Project Manager
Bravishwar Mallavarapu, Planner
ISMS, Inc.
Doug Mende, Vice President
Economics Politics, Inc.
John Husing, Vice President
Meyer, Mohaddes Associates
Viggen Davidian, P. E, Project Manager
Matthew Simons, T. E., Senior Transportation Engineer
Adolfo Ozaeta, Project Engineer
Yim Tse, Graphics Technician
Psomas
Dan McCroskey, PLS, Project Manager
Duane Haselfeld
Sergio Sanchez
Moore, Iacofano & Goltzman ( MIG)
Pat McLaughlin, Office Manager
Esmeralda Garcia, Project Associate
Special Acknowledgements
Bill Postmus, Past First District Supervisor and Chairman of the Board
Theresa Kwappenberg, Past Third District Planning Commissioner
Michael E. Hays, AICP, Past Director, Land Use Services Department
Sam Gennawey, Past Project Manager for MIG
Chuck Bell, Past GPAC Member
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
TABLE OF CONTENTS
April 12, 2007 Page i
I. INTRODUCTION I- 1
A. PURPOSE OF THE GENERAL PLAN..................................................... I- 1
1. Format of this General Plan ................................................................... I- 2
2. History of the San Bernardino County General Plan............................. I- 3
3. General Plan Update Process................................................................. I- 3
4. Public Participation................................................................................ I- 4
B. GENERAL PLAN DOCUMENTS ........................................................... I- 5
C. “ VISION” OF THE 2007 GENERAL PLAN ........................................... I- 8
1. Where we live ........................................................................................ I- 8
2. Where we work.................................................................................... I- 10
3. How we play ........................................................................................ I- 11
D. PLANNING STRUCTURE OF THE COUNTY........................................ I- 11
1. Regional Context ................................................................................. I- 12
2. Jurisdictional Issues ............................................................................. I- 12
3. Regional Statistical Areas.................................................................... I- 14
E. COUNTYWIDE GOALS AND POLICIES.............................................. I- 14
F. REGIONAL POLICIES ....................................................................... I- 15
1. Valley Planning Region....................................................................... I- 15
2. Mountain Planning Region .................................................................. I- 16
3. Desert Planning Region ....................................................................... I- 16
II. LAND USE ELEMENT II- 1
A. PURPOSE OF THE LAND USE ELEMENT ........................................... II- 1
1. Relationship to Other Elements of the General Plan ............................ II- 1
2. Input from Public Participation Program.............................................. II- 2
3. Land Use Map....................................................................................... II- 3
4. General Plan Land Use Zoning Designations....................................... II- 3
B. RESOURCE CONSERVATION ( RC) LAND USE ZONING
DISTRICT........................................................................................... II- 5
1. Purpose ................................................................................................. II- 5
2. Locational Criteria ................................................................................ II- 5
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) ................................ II- 6
C. AGRICULTURE ( AG) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT........................ II- 6
1. Purpose ................................................................................................. II- 6
2. Locational Criteria ................................................................................ II- 7
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) ................................ II- 7
D. RURAL LIVING ( RL) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT........................ II- 8
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page ii April 12, 2007
1. Purpose ................................................................................................. II- 8
2. Locational Criteria ................................................................................ II- 8
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) ................................ II- 9
E. SINGLE RESIDENTIAL ( RS) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT............ II- 10
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 10
2. Locational Criteria. ............................................................................. II- 10
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 10
F. MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL ( RM) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT..... II- 11
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 11
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 11
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 12
G. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL ( CN) LAND USE ZONING
DISTRICT......................................................................................... II- 12
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 12
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 12
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 13
H. OFFICE COMMERCIAL ( CO).......................................................... II- 13
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 13
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 13
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 14
I. RURAL COMMERCIAL ( CR) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT .......... II- 14
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 14
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 14
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 15
J. HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL ( CH) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT..... II- 15
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 15
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 15
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 15
K. GENERAL COMMERCIAL ( CG) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT...... II- 15
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 15
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 16
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 16
L. SERVICE COMMERCIAL ( CS)......................................................... II- 16
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 16
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 16
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 17
M. COMMUNITY INDUSTRIAL ( IC) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT ..... II- 17
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 17
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 18
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 18
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
TABLE OF CONTENTS
April 12, 2007 Page iii
N. REGIONAL INDUSTRIAL ( IR) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT......... II- 19
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 19
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 19
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 20
O. INSTITUTIONAL ( IN) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT...................... II- 20
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 20
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 21
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 21
P. SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT ( SD) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT....... II- 21
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 21
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 21
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 22
4. Adopted Planned Development Applications..................................... II- 22
Q. FLOODWAY ( FW) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT .......................... II- 22
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 22
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 23
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 23
R. SPECIFIC PLAN ( SP) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT ...................... II- 23
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 23
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 23
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 23
S. OPEN SPACE ( OS) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT.......................... II- 24
1. Purpose ............................................................................................... II- 24
2. Locational Criteria .............................................................................. II- 24
3. Maximum Population Density Average ( MPDA) .............................. II- 24
4. Intergovernmental coordination.......................................................... II- 24
5. Land Use Planning in the Sphere of Influence ( SOI) Areas............... II- 25
6. Summary of SOI Build- Out Potential................................................. II- 25
T. COUNTYWIDE GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE LAND USE
ELEMENT ........................................................................................ II- 32
U. VALLEY REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE LAND USE
ELEMENT ........................................................................................ II- 42
V. MOUNTAIN REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE LAND USE
ELEMENT ........................................................................................ II- 42
W. DESERT REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE LAND USE
ELEMENT ........................................................................................ II- 46
III. CIRCULATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENT III- 1
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Page iv April 12, 2007
A. PURPOSE OF THE CIRCULATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
ELEMENT ........................................................................................ III- 1
1. Relationship to other elements of the General Plan............................. III- 1
2. Input from public participation program.............................................. III- 2
B. SUMMARY OF EXISTING CONDITIONS ............................................ III- 2
1. Circulation ........................................................................................... III- 2
C. SAN BERNARDINO ASSOCIATED GOVERNMENTS ( SANBAG)...... III- 3
1. Circulation Map ................................................................................... III- 4
2. Congestion Management Program ( CMP)........................................... III- 4
3. Scenic Routes....................................................................................... III- 6
4. Public Transportation........................................................................... III- 7
5. Commuter Service ............................................................................... III- 7
6. Amtrak ................................................................................................. III- 8
7. Airports ................................................................................................ III- 8
8. Trucking............................................................................................... III- 9
9. Rail Freight .......................................................................................... III- 9
10. Air Freight ......................................................................................... III- 10
11. Non- Motorized Facilities................................................................... III- 11
12. Bicycle Facilities ............................................................................... III- 12
13. Pedestrian Facilities ........................................................................... III- 12
14. Trails .................................................................................................. III- 12
15. Infrastructure...................................................................................... III- 13
16. Water.................................................................................................. III- 14
17. Water Supply and Groundwater ........................................................ III- 15
18. Wastewater ........................................................................................ III- 16
D. COUNTYWIDE GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE CIRCULATION
AND INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENT.................................................. III- 2
1. Infrastructure...................................................................................... III- 11
2. Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater ................................................. III- 13
3. Solid Waste........................................................................................ III- 22
4. Telecommunications.......................................................................... III- 24
5. Fire Protection ................................................................................... III- 25
6. Law Enforcement............................................................................... III- 26
7. Natural Gas and Electricity................................................................ III- 27
8. Education ........................................................................................... III- 27
E. VALLEY REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE CIRCULATION
AND INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENT................................................ III- 28
F. MOUNTAIN REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE
CIRCULATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENT........................ III- 29
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
April 12, 2007 Page v
G. DESERT REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE CIRCULATION
AND INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENT................................................ III- 32
IV. HOUSING ELEMENT IV- 39
A. PURPOSE OF THE HOUSING ELEMENT.......................................... IV- 39
1. Relationship to other elements of the General Plan.......................... IV- 39
2. Input from public participation program........................................... IV- 40
3. Summary of existing conditions ....................................................... IV- 40
4. Housing Distribution Patterns........................................................... IV- 41
5. County Employment Trends and Distribution Patterns .................... IV- 41
B. COUNTYWIDE GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE HOUSING
ELEMENT ....................................................................................... IV- 42
C. VALLEY REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE HOUSING
ELEMENT ....................................................................................... IV- 62
D. MOUNTAIN REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE HOUSING
ELEMENT ....................................................................................... IV- 63
E. DESERT REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE HOUSING
ELEMENT ....................................................................................... IV- 64
V. CONSERVATION ELEMENT V- 1
A. PURPOSE OF THE CONSERVATION ELEMENT .................................. V- 1
1. Relationship to other elements of the General Plan.............................. V- 1
2. Input from public participation program............................................... V- 1
3. Recognized Important Biological Areas............................................... V- 2
B. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES— SENSITIVE PLANTS AND ANIMALS ..... V- 3
1. Valley Region Habitat .......................................................................... V- 3
2. Mountain Region Habitat...................................................................... V- 4
3. Desert Region Habitat........................................................................... V- 5
4. Cultural Resources................................................................................ V- 8
5. Paleontological Resources .................................................................... V- 9
6. Air Quality .......................................................................................... V- 10
7. Soils .................................................................................................... V- 11
C. COUNTYWIDE GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE CONSERVATION
ELEMENT ........................................................................................ V- 13
1. Biological Resources .......................................................................... V- 15
2. Cultural/ Paleontological Resources.................................................... V- 18
3. Air Quality .......................................................................................... V- 22
4. Water................................................................................................... V- 26
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page vi April 12, 2007
5. Soils/ Agriculture................................................................................. V- 29
6. Minerals .............................................................................................. V- 31
7. Energy................................................................................................. V- 33
D. VALLEY REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE
CONSERVATION ELEMENT............................................................. V- 39
E. MOUNTAIN REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE
CONSERVATION ELEMENT............................................................. V- 39
F. DESERT REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE
CONSERVATION ELEMENT............................................................. V- 43
VI. OPEN SPACE ELEMENT VI- 1
A. PURPOSE OF THE OPEN SPACE ELEMENT....................................... VI- 1
1. Relationship to other elements of the General Plan............................ VI- 2
2. Input from public participation program............................................. VI- 2
3. Summary of existing conditions ......................................................... VI- 2
B. COUNTYWIDE GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE OPEN SPACE
ELEMENT ......................................................................................... VI- 6
C. VALLEY REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE OPEN SPACE
ELEMENT ....................................................................................... VI- 20
D. MOUNTAIN REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE OPEN
SPACE ELEMENT ........................................................................... VI- 20
E. DESERT REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE OPEN SPACE
ELEMENT ....................................................................................... VI- 22
VII. NOISE ELEMENT VII- 1
A. PURPOSE OF THE NOISE ELEMENT ............................................... VII- 1
1. Relationship to other elements of the General Plan........................... VII- 1
2. Input from public participation program............................................ VII- 2
3. Summary of existing conditions ........................................................ VII- 2
4. Sources of Noise in San Bernardino County ..................................... VII- 2
5. Conclusion ......................................................................................... VII- 3
B. COUNTYWIDE GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE NOISE ELEMENT... VII- 4
C. VALLEY REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE NOISE
ELEMENT ....................................................................................... VII- 7
D. MOUNTAIN REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE NOISE
ELEMENT ....................................................................................... VII- 7
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
April 12, 2007 Page vii
E. DESERT REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE NOISE
ELEMENT ....................................................................................... VII- 7
VIII. SAFETY ELEMENT VIII- 1
A. PURPOSE OF THE SAFETY ELEMENT........................................... VIII- 1
1. Relationship to other elements of the General Plan.......................... VIII- 1
2. Input from public participation program........................................... VIII- 2
3. Summary of existing conditions ....................................................... VIII- 2
B. GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE SAFETY ELEMENT ...................... VIII- 9
C. VALLEY REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE SAFETY
ELEMENT ................................................................................... VIII- 30
D. MOUNTAIN REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE SAFETY
ELEMENT ................................................................................... VIII- 32
E. DESERT REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE SAFETY
ELEMENT ................................................................................... VIII- 33
IX. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT IX- 1
A. PURPOSE OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT............... IX- 1
1. Relationship to other elements of the General Plan............................ IX- 1
2. Input from public participation program............................................. IX- 2
3. Summary of existing conditions ......................................................... IX- 3
B. COUNTYWIDE GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT............................................................... IX- 9
C. VALLEY REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT............................................................. IX- 19
D. MOUNTAIN REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT............................................................. IX- 20
E. DESERT REGION GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT............................................................. IX- 21
X. IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM X- 1
A. INTRODUCTION................................................................................. X- 1
B. ANNUAL REPORT.............................................................................. X- 1
C. SPECIFIC PLANS................................................................................ X- 2
D. ZONING ............................................................................................. X- 2
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page viii April 12, 2007
E. MISCELLANEOUS LAND USE PERMITS ............................................ X- 3
F. SUBDIVISIONS ................................................................................... X- 3
G. DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS ......................................................... X- 4
H. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM................................................ X- 4
I. REDEVELOPMENT PLAN................................................................... X- 5
J. SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY AIRPORT LAND USE PLANS ................ X- 5
K. HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE ELEMENT.................................. X- 6
L. SOURCE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING ELEMENT........................... X- 6
M. WASTEWATER MASTER PLAN ......................................................... X- 7
N. WATER MASTER PLANS................................................................... X- 7
O. STORM WATER FACILITIES PLANS.................................................. X- 7
P. PUBLIC FACILITIES FINANCING PLANS ........................................... X- 7
Q. NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM
( NPDES) PERMIT NO. CAS618036................................................. X- 8
XI. GLOSSARY / ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS XI- 1
A. GLOSSARY ....................................................................................... XI- 1
B. ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS................................................. XI- 39
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
April 12, 2007 Page ix
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE LU- 1. INDEX MAP............................................................................. II- 27
FIGURE CI- 1. MAJOR ROADS AND FREEWAYS – VALLEY REGION............... III- 17
FIGURE CI- 2. MAJOR ROADS AND FREEWAYS – MOUNTAIN REGION .......... III- 18
FIGURE CI- 3. MAJOR ROADS AND FREEWAYS – DESERT REGION................ III- 19
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE LU- 1: PRIMARY PURPOSE AND INTENDED USES OF LAND USE
ZONING DISTRICTS ................................................................. II- 28
TABLE LU- 2. SUMMARY COMPARISON OF BUILD- OUT POTENTIAL IN
SPHERES OF INFLUENCE .......................................................... II- 31
TABLE CI- 1. SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SEWER SERVICE
PROVIDERS .............................................................................. III- 1
TABLE OS- 1. TYPES OF OPEN SPACE USES.................................................. VI- 19
TABLE S- 1. LAND USE COMPATIBILITY CHART FOR 100- YEAR
FLOOD PLAINS .................................................................... VIII- 33
TABLE S- 2 LAND USE COMPATIBILITY CHART IN FAULT HAZARD
ZONES................................................................................. VIII- 34
TABLE S- 3. LAND USE COMPATIBILITY CHART IN LIQUEFACTION
POTENTIAL ZONES .............................................................. VIII- 35
TABLE S- 4. LAND USE COMPATIBILITY CHART IN LANDSLIDE
SUSCEPTIBILITY ZONES....................................................... VIII- 36
TABLE S- 5 LAND USE COMPATIBILITY IN AVIATION SAFETY
AREAS................................................................................. VIII- 37
TABLE ED- 1. COUNTY LABOR FORCE BY OCCUPATION: 1990 AND
2000......................................................................................... IX- 5
TABLE ED- 2. EMPLOYMENT BY SECTOR: 1991 AND 2002 ............................. IX- 6
TABLE ED- 3. AVERAGE PAY PER JOB: 1991 AND 2002 ................................. IX- 7
TABLE ED- 4. MAJOR COUNTY EMPLOYERS, 2006......................................... IX- 8
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION I – INTRODUCTION
April 12, 2007 Page I- 1
I. INTRODUCTION
A. PURPOSE OF THE GENERAL PLAN
he policies and programs of the General Plan are intended to underlie most
land use decisions. Preparing, adopting, implementing, and maintaining a
general plan serves to:
􀂃 Identify the community’s land use, transportation, environmental,
economic, and social goals and policies as they relate to land use and
development.
􀂃 Form the basis for local government decision- making, including decisions
on proposed development.
􀂃 Provide residents with opportunities to participate in the planning and
decision- making processes of their community.
􀂃 Inform residents, developers, decision makers, and other cities and
counties of the ground rules that guide development within the
community.
Every city and county in California is required by law to have a general plan for
its future development. A general plan is a blueprint that guides the “ physical
development of the county or city, and any land outside its boundaries which
bears relation to its planning” ( California Government Code § 65300). A general
plan must address the seven elements of Land Use, Circulation, Housing,
Conservation, Open Space, Safety and Noise. In addition, the County of San
Bernardino has chosen to address Economic Development, which is an optional
element.
The eight elements of this General Plan form a comprehensive set of planning
policies. The Land Use ( LU) Element designates the general distribution and
intensity of land uses within the unincorporated area of the County. The
Circulation and Infrastructure ( CI) Element identifies the general location and
extent of proposed transportation and infrastructure facilities and utilities. The
Housing ( H) Element is a comprehensive assessment of current and future
housing needs for all segments of the County population, as well as a program for
meeting those needs. The Open Space ( OS) Element describes measures for the
preservation of open space for the protection of natural resources, and for public
health and safety. The Conservation ( CO) Element addresses the conservation,
T
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development, and use of natural resources. The Safety ( S) Element establishes
policies to protect the community from risks associated with natural and man-made
hazards such as seismic, geologic, flooding, wildfire hazards, and air
quality. The Noise ( N) Element identifies major noise sources and contains
policies intended to protect the community from exposure to excessive noise
levels. The Economic Development ( ED) Element establishes policies to
encourage and guide economic development within the County.
The California Supreme Court has called the general plan “ the constitution for
future development.” The general plan expresses the community’s development
goals and embodies public policy relative to the distribution of future land uses—
both public and private.
A general plan typically has four defining qualities:
General nature: The general plan provides guidance for the future, particularly
regarding growth and development. More precise direction is provided in plan
implementation mechanisms, such as annexations, zoning codes, design
regulations, annual budgets, and capital improvement programs.
Comprehensive scope: The general plan addresses a broad range of physical,
environmental, social, and economic factors affecting change within the
community. These factors include land use and circulation, the environment and
resources, economic and fiscal conditions, as well as a host of others.
Internal consistency: The concept of internal consistency holds that no policy
conflicts can exist, either textual or diagrammatic, between the components of an
otherwise complete and adequate general plan. Different policies must be
balanced and reconciled within the plan.
Long- term perspective: The general plan takes immediate concerns into
consideration, but focuses primarily on the future. The general plan projects
conditions and needs into the future as a basis for determining objectives. It also
establishes long- term policy for day- to- day decision- making based upon those
objectives. The background reports that supplement this volume present the
immediate concerns to be addressed in the General Plan.
1. FORMAT OF THIS GENERAL PLAN
The County of San Bernardino General Plan consists of 11 chapters. Chapter I
introduces the plan and its vision. Chapter II explains the planning structure of the
County. Chapters III through X present the seven required elements and one
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION I – INTRODUCTION
April 12, 2007 Page I- 3
optional element of the General Plan. The General Plan ends with Chapter XI,
which is the implementation program.
2. HISTORY OF THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY GENERAL PLAN
The area that would become the County of
San Bernardino was originally part of the
huge San Diego County in 1850. A year
later, it became part of the expanding Los
Angeles County. In April 1853, a bill was
introduced to split off the eastern portion
of Los Angeles County to form a separate
county; and on April 26, 1853, San
Bernardino County was created from parts
of Los Angeles, San Diego, and Mariposa
counties. In 1854, the City of San
Bernardino was incorporated as the
County seat. In 1893, Riverside County was created out of parts of San
Bernardino and San Diego counties.
The previous General Plan for San Bernardino County was adopted in July 1989.
Many physical and demographic changes have occurred since then, resulting in
new opportunities and challenges. For example, the population of the County
increased from 1,418,380 in 1990 to 1,833,000 in 2003, an increase of
approximately 30 percent. The previous General Plan needed to be updated to
reflect the changed demographic and economic conditions, altered growth
patterns, and current land uses.
Having a current and forward- looking general plan will:
􀂃 Guide future development;
􀂃 Facilitate economic development;
􀂃 Enhance neighborhoods and commercial areas; and
􀂃 Ensure adequate infrastructure services and community facilities to
support projected growth in the County.
3. GENERAL PLAN UPDATE PROCESS
To accomplish a successful update, the San Bernardino County Board of
Supervisors selected a project team consisting of the County Advance Planning
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Page I- 4 April 12, 2007
Division staff, the General Plan Advisory Committee ( GPAC), and a group of
planning consultants. The planning consultants are URS Corporation; Hogle-
Ireland, Inc.; Jacobson and Wack; RBF Consulting; Stanley R. Hoffman
Associates, Inc.; Economics and Politics, Inc.; Meyer, Mohaddes Associates;
Psomas; and Moore, Iacofano and Goltsman, Inc. ( MIG). The 13- member GPAC,
consisting of a cross section of community members from across the County,
appointed by the County Board of Supervisors, guided the update process, with
County staff and the consultants providing technical expertise and assistance.
The process of the General Plan Update preparation has had numerous individual
components, which can be grouped into the following eight phases:
􀂃 Phase 1 – Visioning,
􀂃 Phase 2 - Public Participation,
􀂃 Phase 3 - Background Reports,
􀂃 Phase 4 - General Plan Elements,
􀂃 Phase 5 - Community Plans,
􀂃 Phase 6 - Development Code,
􀂃 Phase 7 - Program Environmental Impact Report ( EIR), and
􀂃 Phase 8 - Final General Plan Update.
4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Throughout the preparation of this
General Plan Update, a number of
opportunities were provided to allow for
the widest public participation possible
within the constraints of the County’s
budget and geographic size. Efforts
included reaching out to special interest
groups, engaging the various geographical
parts of the County through meetings
where people live, and involving people
in the development of a vision and its
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION I – INTRODUCTION
April 12, 2007 Page I- 5
implementation.
Consistent with the direction from the Board of Supervisors, the General Plan
Update process included the following:
􀂃 A General Plan Advisory Committee was created, consisting of a
sufficient number of people to capture the diversity of the County.
Committee members were appointed by the Board of Supervisors to
reflect the social, business, political, and environmental interests of the
County.
􀂃 A General Plan Update website was set up through the County's website
where information can be posted and received ( see
http:// www. sbcounty. gov/ sbcountygeneralplan) or information can be
reviewed through the Land Use Services Department website at
www. sbcounty. gov/ landuseservices.
􀂃 An extensive public meeting program reached out geographically into the
County at convenient locations and at convenient times, such as early
evenings.
􀂃 Creating a framework that encouraged ongoing input and participation by
the major stakeholder and special interest groups throughout the County.
B. GENERAL PLAN DOCUMENTS
One objective in updating the San Bernardino County General Plan was to
simplify the plan and make it user- friendly. To achieve this objective, the General
Plan has been divided into a series of linked documents so that readers can find
the information needed without searching through a large amount of text. Below
is a summary of the five component documents that comprise the San Bernardino
County General Plan.
Background Report: This report provides a detailed description of the conditions
that exist within the County before the 2007 adoption of this General Plan.
Community Plans: Community Plans emerged as the collective vision of the
local area residents and stakeholders for guiding development in the
unincorporated County areas with distinct community identities. In the past,
unincorporated communities without the fiscal ability to incorporate as cities have
sought to preserve their community character and spirit through these plans.
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General Plan: The General Plan contains the goals and policies that will guide
future development within the County. It also identifies a full set of
implementation measures that will ensure the policies of the plan are carried out.
It describes the planning area, provides an overview of existing conditions,
summarizes the issues raised during the preparation of the General Plan, and
identifies the environmental resources and constraints associated with the General
Plan.
In addition to this text, the General Plan also includes a separately bound Housing
Element and the following maps:
1. Land Use Zoning District Maps ( series of over 125 maps):
These maps are published using the Assessor Parcel Map as the base map.
They show the designated land use zoning district for each parcel. Three
overlays – Additional Agriculture, Agricultural Preserve, and the Sign
Control – are also shown on these maps as a suffix to the land use zoning
district.
2. Hazard Overlay Maps ( series of over 90 maps):
These maps are published using the street network as the base maps
because the delineations of the various hazards are not intended to be
parcel specific. The hazards included on these maps include airport safety,
dam inundation, fire, flood, and noise.
3. Geologic Hazard Overlay Maps ( series of over 70 maps):
These maps are published using the street network as the base maps
because the delineations of the various hazards are not intended to be
parcel specific. The hazards included on these maps include State and
county designated earthquake fault zones, generalized landslide
susceptibility, generalized liquefaction susceptibility, and rockfall/ debris-flow
hazard areas.
4. Circulation Maps ( series of five maps):
These maps show the road designations for all roads with the following
classifications throughout the County: Freeway, Major Arterial Highway,
Major Divided Highway, Major Highway, Secondary Highway,
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION I – INTRODUCTION
April 12, 2007 Page I- 7
Controlled/ Limited Access Collector, Mountain Major Highway And
Mountain Secondary Highway.
5. Resource Overlay Maps
These maps show various natural resources that have been mapped
throughout the County. They include the following:
Biotic Resources Overlay Maps ( several maps):
These maps are published using the street network as the base maps
because the delineations of the various resources are not intended to be
parcel specific. The resources included on these maps to date include
the Desert Tortoise, the Mojave Ground Squirrel, the Bald Eagle, the
Southern Rubber Boa and the Delhi Flower- Loving Sand Fly. As
additional species are listed they will be added to these maps.
Open Space Overlay Map ( two maps):
These maps are published using the street network as the base maps
because the delineations of the various resources are not intended to be
parcel specific. The resources included on these maps include wildlife
corridors, major open space policy areas, regional trails, Areas of
Critical Environmental Concern, and the delineation of the scenic
corridors listed in the Open Space Element.
Cultural Resources Sensitivity Overlay Maps ( two maps to date):
These maps are published using the street network as the base maps
because the delineations of the resource sensitivity are not intended to
be parcel specific.
Paleontologic Resources Sensitivity Overlay Map:
These maps have not been prepared electronically to date. Once the
digitized maps are complete, they will be published using the street
network as the base maps because the delineations of the resource
sensitivity are not intended to be parcel specific.
Mineral Resources Overlay Map ( Not available yet):
These maps have not been prepared electronically to date. Once the
digitized maps are complete, they will be published using the street
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Page I- 8 April 12, 2007
network as the base maps because the delineations of the resource
locations are not intended to be parcel specific.
6. Alternate Housing Overlay Map:
This map shows those areas in the Desert Region where alternate housing
standards apply.
Environmental Impact Report: The EIR prepared for the General Plan meets
the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act ( CEQA). The
Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors used the EIR during the process
of considering the draft General Plan to understand the potential environmental
implications associated with implementation of the General Plan.
Development Code: The Development Code has been revised to implement the
General Plan and to create a high- quality document that is clearly written and
easy to understand and use.
C. “ VISION” OF THE 2007 GENERAL PLAN
The following Vision Statement was developed by the citizens of the County
through an extensive public outreach program and further refined by the GPAC,
PC, and Board of Supervisors:
The 2007 General Plan recognizes the unique assets of individual communities in
the County to guide County decision- making by building on those assets, as well
as protecting and enhancing the quality of life throughout the County. As a
foundation for the goals and polices of the General Plan, this Vision Statement
describes ideal conditions to work toward during the next 20 years, as expressed
in the following desires for the future of where people live, work, and play in San
Bernardino County. References in each narrative below present various Goals
and Policies of the 2007 General Plan which directly implement various aspects
of the Vision.
1. WHERE WE LIVE
Our County offers residents a wide range of housing opportunities. Residents may
choose to live in traditional urban neighborhoods with a greater array of services
and amenities. Individuals may also choose a more “ rural” lifestyle, often with a
small- town atmosphere, room to breathe, and opportunities for self- reliance and
independence ( see Goal LU- 2).
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION I – INTRODUCTION
April 12, 2007 Page I- 9
Our vision for the future of the County includes:
􀂃 Continued “ rural” character in many areas of the County, with buffering
as needed adjacent to more urban areas ( see Goal LU- 2).
􀂃 A sense of “ place” and community identity in distinct communities where
residents may choose to remain in unincorporated neighborhoods ( see
Goal LU- 10).
􀂃 Housing in a variety of styles, densities, and price ranges ( see Goals H- 2,
H- 4, H- 5, H- 7, and H- 9).
􀂃 Safe neighborhoods with good schools, activities for youth and seniors,
and programs for residents of all ages ( see Goals CI- 20).
􀂃 Convenient access to public school classes from kindergarten through
high school ( K- 12) and higher educational opportunities for all ( see Goal
CI- 20).
􀂃 A functional, safe and convenient transportation system, including public
transit and trails for bicycles, pedestrians, and horses ( see Goal CI- 1).
􀂃 Clean air and a reliable clean water supply ( see Goal CI- 12).
􀂃 Growth and development consistent with the maintenance of
environmental quality ( see Goal LU- 7).
􀂃 Communities that allow residents and visitors to enjoy the natural and
local setting within reasonable limits of infrastructure, service capacities,
and public health and safety, including fire safety and prevention ( see
Goal LU- 8).
􀂃 Preservation of dark night skies in rural areas ( see Goals M/ CO- 5 and
D/ CO- 3).
􀂃 Conservation/ preservation of the natural environment, which defines and
enhances our quality of life ( see Goal CO- 1).
􀂃 Preservation of land and air space serving national defense and
cooperative planning with military installations to minimize land use
conflicts ( see Goal LU- 11, and Policies LU- 11.2 and S- 8.1).
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2. WHERE WE WORK
As San Bernardino County gains recognition as the crossroads of global, multi-modal
transportation and commerce, with an abundance of affordable land and a
skilled workforce, more employers will choose to locate facilities here, and the
role of our County in the regional economy will continue to grow. At the same
time, the local regulatory environment will encourage innovation and free
enterprise to provide other economic opportunities for County residents.
Our vision for the future of the County includes:
􀂃 Excellence in public schools and higher education to support, enhance,
and expand the skills of the local workforce ( see Goal ED- 2).
􀂃 A vibrant and thriving local economy that spans a variety of industries,
services, and other sectors, thereby reducing commuting distance to jobs
( see Goals ED- 1, H- 13, and LU- 5).
􀂃 Vocational training programs geared toward supporting local employers
( see Goal ED- 3).
􀂃 Reasonable performance- based rules to encourage home- based businesses
( see Goal ED- 5).
􀂃 Assistance in the development of small businesses and encouragement of
new businesses of all sizes ( see Goal ED- 4).
􀂃 Conservation of mineral resources for responsible productive use by
extractive industries ( see Goal ED- 7).
􀂃 Leading the region as a multi- modal transportation hub and spurring
economic development through air, rail, and highway systems ( see Goal
ED- 8).
􀂃 Agriculture as an economic activity in areas where production is viable
( see Goal ED- 6).
􀂃 Expanded access to communications technology and network resources
( see Goal CI- 15).
􀂃 Opportunities for the use of alternative energy sources ( see Goal CO- 8).
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
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April 12, 2007 Page I- 11
3. HOW WE PLAY
The plentiful open space in San Bernardino County serves County residents and
attracts people from other areas as they pursue a wide variety of recreational
activities: hiking, camping, off- highway vehicle traveling, fishing, horseback
riding, star- gazing, winter sports, youth athletics, performing arts, and other
entertainment. In addition, County residents have regional access to beaches and
other attractions in coastal areas.
Our vision for the future of the County includes:
􀂃 Extension, enhancement, and increased connectivity of trail systems
throughout the County ( see Goals CI- 6 and OS- 2).
􀂃 Local parks and recreational amenities throughout the County ( see Goal
OS- 1).
􀂃 Expansion of cultural and entertainment opportunities countywide ( see
Goals OS- 4, CO- 3).
􀂃 Recovery and maintenance of multi- use access to public lands, including
regional parks, national parks, national forests, state parks, and Bureau of
Land Management areas ( see Goal OS- 4).
D. PLANNING STRUCTURE OF THE COUNTY
San Bernardino County, with a land area of 20,106 square miles, is the largest
County in the continental United States. The County traverses approximately 13
percent of the state’s area. San Bernardino County is located in the southeastern
portion of the State of California. It is bordered by Los Angeles County, Orange
County, and Kern County on the west, the Colorado River and the States of
Arizona and Nevada on the east, Riverside County on the south, and Inyo County
and the southwest corner of Clark County, Nevada on the north.
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1. REGIONAL CONTEXT
San Bernardino County holds an important
place in the fast growing Southern
California region. We are no longer a
county “ adjacent” to Los Angeles and
Orange counties, but an integral part of the
entire region facing more or less similar
opportunities and constraints. The
extraordinary growth that Orange County
experienced from the 1950s through the
1970s is forecasted for both San Bernardino
and Riverside counties for the current and
the future decades.
A study of the growth trend over the past few decades in the Southern California
Association of Government’s ( SCAG’s) six- county region ( which covers Ventura,
Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and Imperial counties) reveals a
continued decentralization of population. Before 1950, the majority of the growth
in the six counties took place in Los Angeles County. From 1950 to 1970, Orange
County had phenomenal growth with decennial growth rates of more than 200
percent. During the 1970s, growth slowed down in all the counties, with the
exception of Imperial County. Between 1980 and 1990, Ventura County residents
began to vote for slow growth, and Orange County growth slowed because of lack
of available space and other constraints. Population growth expanded eastward to
San Bernardino and Riverside counties, with both counties reaching the one
million mark in population.
2. JURISDICTIONAL ISSUES
Although San Bernardino County is the largest county in the contiguous United
States, the span of control of the Board of Supervisors over the entire County is
limited. This General Plan has been undertaken with full recognition of these
limitations of land use jurisdiction and other governmental structure issues. These
issues are presented below; all acreages and percentages in the following
discussion are approximated and presented for descriptive purposes.
a. Federal and state agencies own and control most of the County lands
b. First and foremost, of the almost 13 million acres comprising San
Bernardino County, approximately 10.5 million acres ( 81 percent of the
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION I – INTRODUCTION
April 12, 2007 Page I- 13
total) are outside governing control of the County Board of Supervisors.
This land is referenced as “ non- jurisdiction” land or “ non- jurisdiction”
territory. Of this non- jurisdiction land, approximately 6 million acres are
owned and controlled by the Federal Bureau of Land Management; and
1.9 million acres are owned and controlled by the United States
Department of Defense.
c. “ Non- jurisdiction” territory is fragmented and scattered throughout the
County
d. The fact that the vast majority of the County territory is outside the control
of the Board of Supervisors is further compounded by the scattered
distribution of these non- jurisdiction properties. Rather than one singular
unified ownership pattern ( such as a military base or a national park), the
non- jurisdiction territory is distributed throughout the Mountain and
Desert planning regions, interspersed with other parcels owned by private
entities, which are regulated by the County Board of Supervisors. Such
fragmentation of property ownership and land use regulations can be
addressed only through comprehensive land use planning in San
Bernardino County.
e. Incorporated cities control land use on a portion of the remaining land
f. As stated, 81 percent of the total land area of the County is outside any
control of the County Board of Supervisors. Of the remaining 19 percent
of the County’s total land area, approximately 4 percent lies within 24
incorporated cities. Fifteen percent ( about 1.9 million acres) is entirely
under County jurisdiction. While the County influences a certain degree of
development activity within these cities ( primarily administrative
buildings, criminal justice facilities, and certain limited infrastructure,
including County- maintained roads), the city councils of these 24 cities
directly regulate land use and planning within these cities.
g. Conclusion: The General Plan provides an opportunity for the Board of
Supervisors to exercise leadership in resolving many inter- jurisdictional
policies
h. Only 15 percent of the total land area in San Bernardino County is
regulated by the County Board of Supervisors. Nevertheless, many of the
issues identified in this General Plan span all of the above jurisdiction and
non- jurisdiction areas. Therefore, the General Plan provides an ideal
opportunity for the Board of Supervisors to influence public policies on
federal and state lands, even though the Board does not have direct
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jurisdictional control of these areas. In addition, many policies in the
General Plan address areas of commonality between the County and cities
regarding their spheres of influence
3. REGIONAL STATISTICAL AREAS
The Southern California Association of Governments ( SCAG) has divided the
area within its jurisdiction into Regional Statistical Areas ( RSAs) for purpose of
collecting and analyzing pertinent statistical information of a variety of issues.
Seven of these areas are located within San Bernardino County. These RSAs are
as follows:
RSA 28: Area including the cities of Chino, Chino Hills, Fontana ( western
portion), Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga and Upland.
RSA 29: Area including the cities/ communities of Bloomington, Colton,
Fontana ( eastern portion), Highland, Muscoy, Redlands, Rialto, San
Bernardino and Yucaipa.
RSA 30: Area including all of the communities in the Mountain Region.
RSA 31: Area in the north desert including the communities of Amboy,
Baker, Goffs, Harvard, Kelso, Ludlow, Newberry Springs, Nipton, Red
Mountain and Trona.
RSA 32: Area including the cities/ towns/ communities of Adelanto, Apple
Valley, Barstow, Helendale, Hesperia, Hinckley, Kramer Junction, Lucerne
Valley, Phelan, Silver Lakes, Victorville and Yermo.
RSA 33: Area including the cities/ towns/ communities of Joshua Tree,
Landers, Morongo Valley, Pioneertown, Rimrock, Twentynine Palms and
Yucca Valley.
RSA 34: Area including the city/ communities of Earp, Essex, Havasu Lake,
Needles, Parker and Vidal.
E. COUNTYWIDE GOALS AND POLICIES
In the context of community planning, a goal is a general direction- setter. It is an
ideal future condition or end related to the public, health, safety, or general
welfare. A goal is a general expression of community values and, therefore, may
be abstract in nature. Consequently, a goal is generally not quantifiable or time-
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION I – INTRODUCTION
April 12, 2007 Page I- 15
dependent. A policy, by contrast, is a specific statement that guides decision-making
for the County. It indicates a commitment of the Board of Supervisors,
the County’s local legislative body, to a particular course of action. Policies must
be clear and unambiguous. A policy is based on and helps to implement the
General Plan’s goals.
San Bernardino County is vast, consisting of three distinct geographic regions: the
Valley, the Mountains, and the Desert. The General Plan was prepared keeping in
mind these distinctions between the three geographic regions while, at the same
time, being mindful of the need to have unified goals and policies that would
address countywide issues and opportunities. Most of the policies within the
General Plan addresses the County in its entirety and are referred to as
countywide policies. Countywide policies are presented under each element of the
General Plan.
F. REGIONAL POLICIES
The three diverse planning regions of the County vary not only by terrain, but also
in the issues and opportunities they face. The three planning regions provide an
opportunity to formulate custom- tailored solutions for each region. Policies have
been drafted that relate to, and address specifically, each particular planning
region and are called Regional Policies. These Regional Policies are presented
after the countywide Policies under each of the eight elements. The three planning
regions of the County can be further described as follows:
1. VALLEY PLANNING REGION
The Valley Planning
Region is defined as all
the area within the
County that is south
and west of the U. S.
Forest Service
boundaries. The San
Bernardino range,
trending southeast,
forms the eastern limit
of the Valley, along
with the Yucaipa and
Crafton Hills. The southern limits of the valley are marked by alluvial highlands
extending south from the San Bernardino and the Jurupa Mountains. The Valley
Planning Region of the County is approximately 60 miles east of the Pacific
Ocean and borders Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties. It is
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approximately 50 miles long from west to east and encompasses 500 square
miles. It covers only 2.5 percent of the total County land, but holds approximately
75 percent of the County’s population. Most of the valley land is incorporated.
2. MOUNTAIN PLANNING REGION
North of the Valley Planning Region is the Mountain Planning Region, consisting
of the San Bernardino and San Gabriel ranges. Of the 872 square miles within this
planning region, approximately 715 square miles are public lands managed by
state and federal agencies— principally, the U. S. Forest Service. The region
contains forests, meadows, and lakes. The San Gabriel Mountains, which extend
from Los Angeles County, form the western end of the Mountain Planning
Region. The San Gabriel Mountains comprise about one- third of the Mountain
Planning Region, with the San Bernardino Mountains making up the remainder.
3. DESERT PLANNING REGION
The Desert Planning Region, the largest of the three planning regions, includes a
significant portion of the Mojave Desert and contains about 93 percent ( 18,735
square miles) of the land within San Bernardino County. The Desert Planning
Region is defined as including all of the unincorporated area of San Bernardino
County lying north and east of the Mountain Planning Region. The Desert
Planning Region is an assemblage of mountain ranges interspersed with long,
broad valleys that often contain dry lakes.
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April 12, 2007 Page II- 1
II. LAND USE ELEMENT
he Land Use Element functions as a guide to planners, the general public,
and decision makers as to the ultimate pattern of development for the
County of San Bernardino. The Land Use Element has perhaps the
broadest scope of the County of San Bernardino’s General Plan elements. In
theory, it plays a central role in correlating all land use issues into a set of
coherent development policies. Its objectives, policies, and programs relate
directly to the other elements. It is the most visible and often- used element in
local general planning. Although all general plan elements carry equal weight, the
Land Use Element is often perceived as being most visible expression of the
General Plan because of its pivotal role in zoning, subdivision, and public works
decisions. The Element’s goals, policies and programs provide a long- range
context for those short- term actions.
A. PURPOSE OF THE LAND USE ELEMENT
The Land Use Element is a guide for the County of San Bernardino’s future
development. It designates the distribution and general location of land uses, such
as residential, retail, industrial, open space, recreation, and public areas. The Land
Use Element also addresses the permitted density and intensity of the various land
use designations as reflected on the County’s General Plan Land Use Diagram.
1. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE GENERAL PLAN
Consistent with California Government Code Section 65302( a), the Land Use
Element must address each of the following issues: distribution of housing,
business, and industry; distribution of open space, including agricultural land;
distribution of mineral resources and provisions for their continued availability;
distribution of recreation facilities and opportunities; location of educational
facilities, public buildings and grounds; location of future solid and liquid waste
facilities; identification of areas subject to flooding; and identification of existing
Timberland Preserve Zone lands.
The Land Use Element and its associated General Plan Land Use Diagram are
intended to capture and communicate the County of San Bernardino’s long- term
vision for future development. Of all the General Plan elements required by state
law, the Land Use Element has the broadest scope. Because it governs how land is
to be utilized, virtually all of the issues and politics contained in other elements
relate in some degree to the Land Use Element. In addition, California
T
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Government Code Section 65300.5 requires internal consistency among the
various elements of a General Plan.
2. INPUT FROM PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROGRAM
Through a public outreach process
in preparation for the drafting of
the County of San Bernardino’s
General Plan, the public identified
the following issues that directly
relate to the Land Use Element:
A. Overwhelmingly,
respondents value their quality of life in the County and want to preserve
the unique qualities and diversity of their communities. At the same time,
they understand that growth is inevitable and stress the importance of
protecting these unique qualities and community identity.
A significant number of respondents value the ethnic diversity in the County and
advocate the fair and equal treatment of all residents.
A small number were concerned with improving the image of the County, both
internally and externally.
The majority of respondents identified growth as a major issue and cited the need
to balance the pace of growth between the population, housing, economy,
industry, businesses, schools, health care, open space, parks, and infrastructure,
including roads, utilities, street lights, sewers, and sidewalks.
A large number of residents stressed the need for the creation and maintenance of
roads in the County — paved and unpaved, urban and rural.
A significant number of respondents called for more controlled and planned
growth coupled with environmental protection to ensure prosperity in all areas of
the County. One comment expressed this tension as “ Industry versus nature and
the delicate balance between the two,” and another was pessimistic about
“ Constantly striving for growth with no regard for environment or quality of life.”
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
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April 12, 2007 Page II- 3
A significant number of residents were concerned about the growing population
density.
A small number of respondents stressed the need to reuse or redevelop
older/ abandoned/ historic buildings instead of accommodating growth only in new
buildings. County residents noted, “ Too many empty buildings being left behind
to build new ones,” and questioned, “ How to upgrade older sections of town and
prevent them from becoming slums.”
A small number identified a need to develop arts and cultural institutions to
balance growth in other areas and increase access to the arts in the County.
A significant number of residents called for the need to match the pace of school
development with housing development and growth in the County.
3. LAND USE MAP
The “ one- map approach” permits the use of a single map showing both General
Plan land use designations and zoning classifications. The one- map approach
assures that there will always be land use consistency between the County's
General Plan and its Zoning Code. Given the size of the County and the
dimensional limits of this document, the land use diagram is neither accurate nor
to scale. For precise detail refer to the land use diagram on file with the County.
In some instances, current lot sizes are smaller than the minimum lot sizes for the
designated land uses. In these instances, further subdivision of land may be
precluded.
Figure LU- 1 presents an Index Map of the 2007 General Plan Maps. The Index
Map and all detailed maps can be viewed on the 2007 General Plan CD Map
adopted concurrent with the General Plan text. These maps include:
1. Biotic Resources Overlay Maps ( several maps).
2. Open Space Overlay Map ( two maps).
3. Cultural Resources Sensitivity Overlay Maps ( two maps to date).
4. Paleontologic Resources Sensitivity Overlay Map ( Not available yet).
5. Mineral Resources Overlay Map ( Not available yet).
4. GENERAL PLAN LAND USE ZONING DESIGNATIONS
There are 18 land use zoning districts that apply only to privately owned lands in
the County and not to the lands controlled by other jurisdictions. Lands that are
controlled by other jurisdictions, including lands controlled by federal and state
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agencies as well as incorporated cities, are mapped to identify the public agencies
that control them. The 18 land use zoning districts ( see Table LU- 1) are as
follows: Resource Conservation ( RC), Agriculture ( AG), Rural Living ( RL),
Single Residential ( RS), Multiple Residential ( RM), Office Commercial ( CO),
Neighborhood Commercial ( CN), Rural Commercial ( CR), Highway Commercial
( CH), General Commercial ( CG), Service Commercial ( CS), Community
Industrial ( IC), Regional Industrial ( IR), Institutional ( IN), Special Development
( SD), Floodway ( FW), Specific Plan ( SP), and Open Space ( OS).
The purpose, location criteria, building intensity standards, population density,
and the intended uses of each land use zoning district are specified. The building
intensity standards specified for each land use zoning district may be modified by
provisions contained in the County Development Code, Title 8 of the County
Code. Also, individual planning areas may specify higher or lower housing
densities, and/ or smaller or larger minimum parcel sizes. A brief description of
the intended uses in each land use zoning district is presented herein; the County
Development Code, Title 8 of the County Code, contains a complete listing of the
uses permitted in each land use zoning district.
No land use zoning district created by the conversion of previous land use and
zone districts will be required to meet the minimum parcel sizes set forth for each
district below. New land use zoning district changes approved under this General
Plan must meet with those minimum size requirements except as provided below.
Resource Conservation ( RC) comprises the majority ( 55.98 percent) of the
designated land uses in the County. This land use designation covers over 1
million acres, or about 1,500 square miles of land. Most of the land within this
designation is publicly owned ( federal and state) and includes national parks,
military bases, conservation areas, and lands owned by other federal and state
agencies. The County has designated approximately 681,500 acres or 1,065
square miles ( 37.92 percent) for residential uses. Out of this, about 587,535 acres
( 32.76 percent of total unincorporated area) are designated Rural Living, 67,691
acres are designated Single Residential, while 4,986 acres are designated Multiple
Residential.
Commercial land use zoning districts ( Office Commercial, Neighborhood
Commercial, Rural Commercial, Highway Commercial, General Commercial,
and Service Commercial) occupy a total of 12,177 acres or 0.68 percent of the
total unincorporated area. Industrial land use zoning districts ( including
Community Industrial and Regional Industrial) occupy 21,834 acres or 1.21
percent of the total unincorporated area. Other land use designations include
Agriculture occupying 41,793 acres ( 2.32 percent), Institutional occupying
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
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April 12, 2007 Page II- 5
8,567.51 acres ( 0.48 percent), Floodway occupying 20,281 acres ( 1.13 percent),
and Specific Plan occupying 4,861.37 acres ( 0.27 percent). LU- 2 summarizes the
primary purpose and intended uses of each land use zoning district. The districts
are further defined in the following subsections.
The following Land Use Designations are presented on the Land Use Diagram.
These General Plan Land Use Designations describe the extent of the uses of land
within the County. They include standards of population density and building
intensity, in conformance with Section 65302( a) of the Government Code. These
Land Use Designations are hereby adopted and incorporated into the 2007
General Plan.
B. RESOURCE CONSERVATION ( RC) LAND USE ZONING
DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To encourage limited rural development that maximizes preservation of
open space, watershed and wildlife habitat areas.
􀂃 To identify areas where rural residences may be established on lands
with limited grazing potential but which have significant open space
values.
􀂃 To prevent inappropriate urban population densities in remote and/ or
hazardous areas of the County.
􀂃 To establish areas where open space and non- agricultural activities are
the primary use of the land, but where agriculture and compatible uses
may co- exist.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas generally distant from urban
centers with existing land uses
including limited grazing, passive
public and private recreation areas,
rural residences and vacation cabins
and watershed, wildlife and open space
uses.
􀂃 Areas with steep terrain and limited
access.
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􀂃 Areas with high scenic values.
􀂃 Areas with limited or no infrastructure facilities and where none are
planned within the next twenty years.
􀂃 Areas within any Hazard Protection and/ or Resource Preservation
Overlay except Agriculture Preserve ( AP) Overlay.
􀂃 Areas where development rights have been transferred to other areas via
development approvals and set aside for open space and recreation uses.
􀂃 Areas shown on the Open Space Map in which limited development may
occur while maintaining desired open space values.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
On the average, there are 4.82 persons per household in the unincorporated
portions of the Valley Planning Region, 2.54 persons per household in the
Mountain Planning Region and 2.68 persons per household in the Desert Planning
Region. The MPDA, per square mile, for this district for the Valley, Mountain
and Desert Planning Regions are approximately 77 persons, 41 persons, and 43
persons, respectively.
C. AGRICULTURE ( AG) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To recognize commercial agriculture as a desirable land use type and a
major segment of the County's economic base.
􀂃 To identify areas where agriculture is the primary land use but where
other secondary uses that directly support agricultural uses may be
permitted.
􀂃 To preserve the agricultural base of the County economy and encourage
the open space values of these uses.
􀂃 To provide areas for both intensive and extensive agricultural pursuits.
􀂃 To identify areas of commercial ( prime and non- prime) agricultural soils
and operations.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
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April 12, 2007 Page II- 7
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas previously designated as
agricultural preserve, whether or
not they are under contract.
􀂃 Areas that may be eligible for
designation as an agricultural
preserve.
􀂃 Areas where the only residential
uses allowed are for property
owners or employees actively
engaged in agricultural
operations.
􀂃 Rural areas where existing land uses are mainly truck crops, specialty
crops, row and field crops, irrigated crops and pasture, irrigated
vineyards and orchards, dry farm orchards and vineyards, dry farm and
grain, and grazing and rangeland on parcels of 10 acres or greater.
􀂃 Areas where parcel sizes and ownership patterns are sufficiently large to
accommodate agricultural operation, buffered from incompatible land
uses.
􀂃 Areas with limited infrastructure facilities and where limited public
improvements will be planned or developed in the next 20 years.
􀂃 Areas that are not adjacent to a Single or Multiple Residential ( RS or
RM) District, except where the minimum parcel size in the Residential
District is 1 acre or larger.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
On the average, there are 4.82 persons per household in the unincorporated
portions of the Valley Planning Region, 2.54 persons per household in the
Mountain Planning Region and 2.68 persons per household in the Desert Planning
Region. The MPDA, per square mile, for this district based on its ten acre
minimum lot size for the Valley, Mountain and Desert Planning Regions are
approximately 309 persons, 163 persons, and 172 persons, respectively.
The Agricultural ( AG) Land Use Zoning District is divided into subdistricts based
on the minimum lot size. These subdistricts are as follows: AG- 160, which has a
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minimum lot size of 160 acres; AG- 80, which has a minimum lot size of 80 acres;
AG- 40, which has a minimum lot size of 40 acres; and AG- 20, which has a
minimum lot size of 20 acres. The MPDA for the sub- districts in the three
Planning Regions are as follows ( rounded to the nearest person per square mile):
Maximum Population Density Average - Agriculture
Valley Planning
Region
Mountain Planning
Region
Desert Planning
Region
AG- 160 19 persons psm* 10 persons psm* 11 persons psm*
AG- 80 39 persons psm* 20 persons psm* 21 persons psm*
AG- 40 77 persons psm* 41 persons psm* 43 persons psm*
AG- 20 154 persons psm* 81 persons psm* 86 persons psm*
* per square mile
D. RURAL LIVING ( RL) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To encourage appropriate rural development where single family
residential use is primary.
􀂃 To identify areas where rural residences may be established and where
associated related animal uses may be permitted.
􀂃 To prevent inappropriate demand for urban services.
􀂃 To establish areas where non- agricultural activities are the primary use
of the land, but where agriculture and compatible uses may coexist.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas generally adjacent to urbanizing
centers, with existing land uses that
include limited agriculture; mining and
quarrying; energy production
operations; public and private
recreation areas; rural residences and
vacation cabins; and watershed,
wildlife, and open space uses.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
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April 12, 2007 Page II- 9
􀂃 Areas with limited, low- density development or mountainous areas with
moderate slopes or soils of poorer quality than in agricultural areas.
􀂃 Areas where rural residences are the primary use of the land, but where
agriculture and other compatible uses, such as hunting clubs, dude
ranches, RV parks, etc., may be found or located.
􀂃 Areas with soil conditions suitable for limited agriculture capability,
which may nevertheless be eligible for Agricultural Preserve status.
􀂃 Areas with partial public services and limited public improvements.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
On the average, there are 4.82 persons per household in the unincorporated
portions of the Valley Planning Region, 2.54 persons per household in the
Mountain Planning Region and 2.68 persons per household in the Desert Planning
Region. The MPDA, per square mile, for this district based on its two and one-half
acre minimum lot size for the Valley, Mountain and Desert Planning Regions
are approximately 1234 persons, 650 persons, and 686 persons, respectively.
The Rural Living ( RL) Land Use Zoning District is divided into subdistricts based
on the minimum lot size. These subdistricts are as follows: RL- 40, which has a
minimum lot size of 40 acres; RL- 20, which has a minimum lot size of 20 acres;
RL- 10, which has a minimum lot size of 10 acres; and RL- 5, which has a
minimum lot size of 5 acres. The MPDA for the sub- districts in the three Planning
Regions are as follows ( rounded to the nearest person per square mile):
Maximum Population Density Average – Rural Living
Valley Planning
Region
Mountain Planning
Region
Desert Planning
Region
RL- 40 77 persons psm* 41 persons psm* 43 persons psm*
RL- 20 154 persons psm* 81 persons psm* 86 persons psm*
RL- 10 308 persons psm* 163 persons psm* 172 persons psm*
RL- 5 617 persons psm* 325 persons psm* 343 persons psm*
* per square mile
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E. SINGLE RESIDENTIAL ( RS) LAND USE ZONING
DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To provide areas for single- family homes on individual lots.
􀂃 To provide areas for accessory and non- residential uses that complement
single residential neighborhoods.
􀂃 To discourage incompatible non- residential uses in single- family
residential neighborhoods.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA.
􀂃 Areas that are not adjacent to
Regional Industrial or
Agriculture Districts, except
where the ultimate minimum
residential parcel sizes will be 1
acre or larger.
􀂃 Areas that are within 1 mile of
major arterial and/ or existing
major public transit routes.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
On the average, there are 4.82 persons per household in the unincorporated
portions of the Valley Planning Region, 2.54 persons per household in the
Mountain Planning Region and 2.68 persons per household in the Desert Planning
Region. The MPDA, per square mile, for this district based on its 7,200 square
foot minimum lot size for the Valley, Mountain and Desert Planning Regions are
approximately 12,339 persons, 6,502 persons and 6,860 persons, respectively.
The Single Residential ( RS) Land Use Zoning District is divided into subdistricts
based on the minimum lot size. These subdistricts are as follows: RS- 1, which has
a minimum lot size of 1 acre; RS- 20M, which has a minimum lot size of 20,000
square feet, RS- 14 M, which has a minimum lot size of 14,000 square feet; and
RS 10, which has a minimum lot size of 10,000 square feet.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 11
The MPDA for the subdistricts in the three Planning Regions are as follows
( rounded to the nearest person per square mile):
Maximum Population Density Average – Single Residential
Valley Planning
Region
Mountain Planning
Region
Desert Planning
Region
RS- 1 3,085 persons psm* 1,626 persons psm* 1,715 persons psm*
RS- 20M 6,719 persons psm* 3,541 persons psm* 3,736 persons psm*
RS- 14M 9,598 persons psm* 5,058 persons psm* 5,337 persons psm*
RS- 10M 13,437 persons psm* 7,081 persons psm* 7,471 persons psm*
* per square mile
F. MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL ( RM) LAND USE ZONING
DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To provide areas for attached, detached, and/ or mixed residential
development with a wide range of densities and housing types.
􀂃 To efficiently relate higher- density residential development to
community utilities and facilities as well as site characteristics.
􀂃 To locate parcels appropriate for development at higher residential
densities in closer proximity to community services and facilities.
􀂃 To offer a wide range of residential living environments.
􀂃 To allow diverse non- residential activities compatible with a multifamily
neighborhood.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas of existing multi- family
development.
􀂃 Areas that have or are programmed to
receive full urban services.
􀂃 Areas with slopes generally less than
16 percent. ( Increased lot sizes will be
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COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE
Page II- 12 April 12, 2007
required as slope increases.)
􀂃 Areas in centralized urban locations having close proximity to major
commercial and public facilities, where urban infrastructure, circulation,
and neighborhood and community facilities that are capable of handling
high- density residential development are located or planned.
􀂃 Areas that are not adjacent to a Regional Industrial ( IR) District,
Agriculture ( AG) District and/ or mining operations, except where the
area is large enough to leave a buffer yard of 75 feet between the
Districts and/ or uses, or when the area reserved for open space within a
multiple family development is 60% or greater.
􀂃 Areas adjacent to or near a major arterial and/ or existing major public
transit routes.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
On the average, there are 4.82 persons per household in the unincorporated
portions of the Valley Planning Region, 2.54 persons per household in the
Mountain Planning Region and 2.68 persons per household in the Desert Planning
Region. The MPDA, per square mile, for this district for the Valley, Mountain
and Desert Planning Regions are approximately 61,696 persons, 32,512 persons,
and 34,304 persons, respectively.
G. NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL ( CN) LAND USE
ZONING DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
To provide suitable locations for retail and service commercial establishments
intended to meet daily convenience needs of a residential area.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas adjacent to or in close
proximity to residential
districts/ uses.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 13
􀂃 Areas adjacent to a major arterial street or any road intersection.
􀂃 Areas with less than 20 percent slopes.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
Residential uses, except social care facilities, are not permitted in commercial
districts. MPDA for this type of district is 1,000 persons per square mile.
H. OFFICE COMMERCIAL ( CO)
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To provide office and space for professional groups in community
centers and civic areas.
􀂃 To allow for public and quasi- public uses that are compatible with a
centralized urban location or a transitional area.
􀂃 To provide for the concentration of office uses for their mutual benefit
and convenience as well as convenience to the general public.
􀂃 To establish areas for the conduct of business in a manner that will
minimize conflicts and adverse impacts on other land uses.
􀂃 To encourage conversion and renovation of historic or architecturally
significant buildings located in office and professional areas.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas set aside to support
concentration of office uses,
making office and professional
activities more visible and easily
accessible to the public.
􀂃 Peripheral areas of central business
districts near commercial and
public uses.
􀂃 Areas between a residential district and a major highway or more
intensive commercial or industrial districts.
􀂃 Areas of mixed, non- residential uses compatible with business activities.
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SECTION II – LAND USE
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􀂃 Areas with primary access from a major arterial or collector, avoiding
the use of local residential streets for services and deliveries.
􀂃 Areas adjacent to a major arterial, major divided highway, or freeway
and/ or that are within one- half ( 0.5) mile of a public transit route.
􀂃 Areas with full urban services and infrastructure facilities.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
Residential uses, except social care facilities, are not permitted in commercial
districts. MPDA for this type of district is 640 persons per square mile.
I. RURAL COMMERCIAL ( CR) LAND USE ZONING
DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
To provide sites in rural areas where a range of commercial services intermixed
with residential uses can be established which are limited in scope and intensity
and meet the needs of the remote population and the traveling public.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Rural areas that have a low
concentration of population not
exceeding 500 people per square
mile.
􀂃 Areas along major remote
thoroughfares or intersections.
􀂃 Areas where a mixture of uses
can coexist without conflict and
there is no need to use multiple commercial districts to separate land
uses.
􀂃 Areas where there is no competing commercial core.
􀂃 Areas where special design considerations are not necessarily required to
ensure compatibility with surrounding land uses and the community.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 15
􀂃 Areas not within any city sphere of influence.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
The Rural Commercial Land Use Zoning District allows primary residential uses
to be intermixed with commercial uses. MPDA for this type of district is 500
persons per square mile.
J. HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL ( CH) LAND USE ZONING
DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
To provide suitable locations for retail and service commercial establishments
intended to meet the daily convenience needs of the traveling public.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas occupied or intended to be occupied by a relatively contiguous
grouping of businesses that provide transient services to travelers on
major highways.
􀂃 Areas designed to preserve a block of land for the use of small,
somewhat isolated transient commercial uses along major highways.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
Residential uses, except social care facilities, are not permitted in commercial
districts. MPDA for this type of district is 1,000 persons per square mile.
K. GENERAL COMMERCIAL ( CG) LAND USE ZONING
DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
Provide appropriately located areas for stores, offices, service establishments, and
amusements offering a wide range of commodities and services scaled to meet
neighborhood and community needs.
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COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE
Page II- 16 April 12, 2007
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Concentrated retail business and
service areas that supply daily
community commercial needs.
􀂃 Areas of retail commercial uses in
central business districts providing
local and regional trade services.
􀂃 Areas adjacent to a major arterial
street, highway, or freeway or at the
intersection of two major arterial
streets.
􀂃 Areas with full urban services and infrastructure facilities.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
Residential uses, except social care facilities, are not permitted in commercial
districts. MPDA for this type of district is 1,500 persons per square mile.
L. SERVICE COMMERCIAL ( CS)
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To provide suitable areas for a mixture of commercial and industrial
uses, including manufacturing uses, where they will not adversely affect
surrounding properties.
􀂃 To provide suitable locations for retail, wholesale, intensive commercial,
and service establishments.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas normally characterized by
heavy commercial, service, and
small- scale industrial uses.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 17
􀂃 Areas where uses generally serve occasional needs rather than day to- day
needs.
􀂃 Areas that will not create incompatible land use mixtures with the
intended uses of this district.
􀂃 Areas located to promote infill and restructuring of existing heavy and
service commercial areas and discourage proliferation of scattered
service uses.
􀂃 Areas appropriate for developments using planned development concepts
where unified landscaping, signing, building design, service capabilities,
and adequate circulation can be ensured.
􀂃 Areas with access from major streets and/ or major arterial streets to
avoid use of residential streets for access or deliveries.
􀂃 Areas that are either at the intersection of two major arterial streets or
adjacent to a major arterial street, major divided street, or freeway, or
served by railroad access.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
Residential uses, except social care facilities, are not permitted in commercial
districts. MPDA for this type of district is 1,500 persons per square mile.
M. COMMUNITY INDUSTRIAL ( IC) LAND USE ZONING
DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To identify and establish areas suited to industrial activities.
􀂃 To provide opportunities for the concentration of industrial uses to
enable efficient use of transportation, circulation, and energy facilities.
􀂃 To protect adjacent land uses from harmful influences, as well as to
prevent the intrusion of incompatible uses into industrial areas.
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COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
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2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas located within urban areas
where full urban services are
available.
􀂃 Areas of existing industrial uses.
􀂃 Areas physically suited for
industrial activities.
􀂃 Areas that are or can be adequately
buffered from adjacent uses in
other land use categories.
􀂃 Areas adjacent to major transportation terminals and energy facilities.
􀂃 Areas where industrial traffic is not routed through residential or other
areas not compatible with industrial traffic.
􀂃 Areas that are at the intersection or have direct access to major arterial,
major divided streets, or a freeway, or are served by railroad access.
􀂃 Areas appropriate for development of large acreages using the concepts
of planned development to provide industrial parks with unified
landscaping, signing, building design, services, infrastructure, and
circulation.
􀂃 Areas located peripheral to urban areas where residential or long- term
agricultural uses are inappropriate.
􀂃 Areas that have stable soil with average slope of 10 percent or less.
􀂃 Rural areas where there is a demonstrated need for industrial land uses.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
Residential uses, except caretaker or accessory residential uses ( one per legally
created parcel), are not permitted in the IC District. MPDA for this type of district
is 640 persons per square mile.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 19
N. REGIONAL INDUSTRIAL ( IR) LAND USE ZONING
DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To identify and establish areas suitable for major industrial centers or a
single large industrial plant having 200,000 or more square feet of floor
area, or more than 500 employees on any shift.
􀂃 To provide sites for industrial uses which have severe potential for
negative impacts on any uses this would locate relatively close to them.
􀂃 To identify areas intended eventually to be utilized for industrial
purposes to support the public need for manufacturing uses and
employment opportunities.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas located within urban
areas where full urban services
are available.
􀂃 Areas of existing industrial
uses.
􀂃 Areas physically suited to
industrial activities.
􀂃 Areas that are or can be
adequately buffered from
adjacent uses in other land use
categories.
􀂃 Areas adjacent to major transportation terminals and energy facilities.
􀂃 Areas where industrial traffic is not routed through residential or other
areas not compatible with industrial traffic.
􀂃 Areas that have direct access to a major arterial, major divided streets, or
freeways, or are served by railroad access.
􀂃 Areas appropriate for development of large acreages using the concepts
of planned development to provide industrial parks with unified
125
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE
Page II- 20 April 12, 2007
landscaping, signing, building design, services, infrastructure, and
circulation.
􀂃 Areas located peripheral to urban areas where residential or long- term
agricultural uses are inappropriate.
􀂃 Areas that have stable soil with average slope of 10 percent or less.
􀂃 Rural areas where there is a demonstrated need for industrial land uses.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
Residential uses, except caretaker units or accessory residential uses ( one per
legally created parcels), are not allowed in the IR District. MPDA for this type of
district is 256 persons per square mile.
O. INSTITUTIONAL ( IN) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To identify existing lands and structures committed to public facilities
and public agency uses and proposed public facilities, where site
selection has not occurred.
􀂃 To provide areas for development of future public facilities to meet
public needs.
􀂃 To enable identification of potential facility locations that satisfy both
community and regional needs relating to the population levels being
served.
􀂃 To identify potential facility sites in advance of immediate need so that
facility design and location may be based on the character of the area
being served and can also be compatible with and supportive of the
comprehensive plans of agencies within the facility service area.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 21
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas with existing public or quasi-public
facilities and uses, or publicly
owned lands intended for
development with public facilities.
􀂃 Areas that satisfy the specialized site
location requirements of public
facilities, where facilities will be
visible and accessible to their users.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
Residential uses are not permitted in the Institutional District. MPDA for this type
of district is 1,000 persons per square mile.
P. SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT ( SD) LAND USE ZONING
DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To allow a combination of residential, commercial, and/ or manufacturing
activities that maximizes the utilization of natural as well as man- made
resources.
􀂃 To identify areas suitable for large- scale planned developments and to
allow cluster- type development to provide more open space.
􀂃 To allow joint planning efforts, such as Specific Plans, Area Plans, etc.,
among adjacent land owners and jurisdictions.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
Areas that need or require
special planning studies.
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SECTION II – LAND USE
Page II- 22 April 12, 2007
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
The MPDA will vary, but not exceed 43,187 persons per square mile in the Valley
Planning Region, 22,758 persons per square mile in the Mountain Planning
Region, and 24,013 persons per square mile in the Desert Planning Region. This
assumes a maximum housing density of 20 dwelling units per acre.
4. ADOPTED PLANNED DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS
Whenever a Planned Development application is processed and adopted by the
Board of Supervisors, a General Plan Amendment will be processed and adopted
concurrently. The General Plan Amendment will indicate that there has been
some type of change to the development standards or allowed uses within the area
included within the boundaries of the Planned Development application. This
General Plan Amendment will be annotated on the Land Use Zoning District
Maps as a suffix to the Special Development District. The suffix will include the
letters “ PD” and the year of adoption and the sequence number of the specific
Planned Development application that had been approved for that specific year
[ e. g. ( PD- 2006- 01)].
Q. FLOODWAY ( FW) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To identify and preserve areas for flood flow, such as the channel of a
river or drainage way, and those portions of the floodway adjoining the
channels required to effectively carry the discharge of floodwater or
flood flow of any river or stream.
􀂃 To protect floodways from encroachment by land uses that would be
endangered when floodway channels are full or are overflowing into that
portion of an adjacent floodplain that becomes part of the channel.
􀂃 To prohibit occupancy or the encroachment of any structure,
improvement, or development that would unduly affect the capacity of
the floodway or unduly increase flood heights.
􀂃 To prevent the loss of life or property caused by floodwater runoff.
􀂃 To designate natural and man- made floodways and their adjacent areas
on a map to coordinate flood drainage and land development.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 23
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
􀂃 Areas identified as major flood
channels by the Drainage Section
of the County Department of
Public Works.
􀂃 Areas where extensive flooding
conditions require the curtailment
of development.
􀂃 Areas that have been identified,
mapped, and designated as floodway by the Federal Flood Insurance
Administration.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
Residential uses, except houseboats, are not permitted in the Floodway District.
MPDA for this district is 10 persons per square mile.
R. SPECIFIC PLAN ( SP) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
􀂃 To designate an area that encompasses the boundaries of an adopted
Specific Plan
􀂃 To allow joint planning efforts among adjacent land owners and
jurisdictions.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
Areas that need or require special
planning studies.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
The MPDA will vary, but not exceed 43,187 persons per square mile in the Valley
Planning Region, 22,758 persons per square mile in the Mountain Planning
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COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE
Page II- 24 April 12, 2007
Region, and 24,013 persons per square mile in the Desert Planning Region. This
assumes a maximum housing density of 20 dwelling units per acre.
S. OPEN SPACE ( OS) LAND USE ZONING DISTRICT
1. PURPOSE
To maintain open space on property legally constrained by deed restrictions on
the property.
2. LOCATIONAL CRITERIA
Applied only to land that is legally
constrained from future
development.
3. MAXIMUM POPULATION DENSITY AVERAGE ( MPDA)
The MPDA for this district is zero persons per square mile.
4. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION
Jurisdictional Issues
There are over 250 units of federal, state and local governments operating within
the jurisdictional limits of the County. Coordination between all these agencies
and all County departments is essential for the development and implementation
of the General Plan. Such coordination is particularly crucial to:
􀂃 Resolve potential land use conflicts between the County and the federal
and state agencies, such as the Department of Defense ( DOD) and the
Department of the Interior ( DOI), which have jurisdictional control over
the majority of land in the County.
􀂃 Ensure the joint planning efforts of the County and the incorporated cities,
regarding land development policies in the sphere of influence ( SOI)
areas.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 25
All lands controlled by a jurisdiction other than the County are coded to indicate
the agencies that control them on the land use zoning districts map. This includes
land controlled by the incorporated cities, federal agencies such as the Bureau of
Land Management ( BLM), and the DOD, and other state and public agencies.
Federal land ownership is expected to change relatively little during the plan
period, although occasional land exchanges are anticipated especially between
private parties and the BLM or the U. S. Forest Service. On the other hand,
incorporated land area is expected to increase as a result of annexations and
incorporations, thereby reducing the amount of land that is subject to the County's
policies and regulations.
5. LAND USE PLANNING IN THE SPHERE OF INFLUENCE ( SOI)
AREAS
The incorporated cities are often critical of the land use decisions made by the
County in the sphere of influence areas. The cities' major concerns are that:
􀂃 Some of the land uses proposed by the County for the SOI areas are not
compatible with, and are not logical extensions of, the adjacent land uses
within the cities' boundaries.
􀂃 County development standards are relatively lax, depreciating the quality
of the permitted development and adversely affecting the neighborhoods,
including adjacent areas within the cities.
􀂃 The review procedures employed by the County do not include urban
design and architectural design considerations used by many cities.
Section 65300 of the California Government Code places a dual mandate on both
cities and counties relating to land use planning within spheres of influence. The
land use policies adopted for the SOI areas are designed to encourage annexations
or incorporations. In the Inland Valley Development Agency ( IVDA) area, the
County has a policy of neutrality as to annexation or incorporation, and these
actions are neither encouraged nor discouraged.
6. SUMMARY OF SOI BUILD- OUT POTENTIAL
Table LU- 3 compares residential, commercial, and industrial build- out potential
for each of the spheres according to the County land use designations to the build-out
potential according to various cities’ land use designations. According to the
County land use designations, the spheres have a total build- out potential of
148,932 dwelling units, 109 million square feet of commercial space, and 302.4
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COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE
Page II- 26 April 12, 2007
million square feet of industrial space. According to the cities’ land use
designations, the spheres have a total build- out capacity of 124,853 dwelling
units, 72.3 million square feet of commercial spaces, and 244.8 million square
feet of industrial space. As seen in the table, the holding capacity within the
spheres is higher according to the County land use designations as compared to
the cities’ land use designations.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 27
Figure LU- 1. Index Map
125
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
Page II- 28 April 12, 2007
Table LU- 1: Primary Purpose and Intended Uses of Land Use Zoning Districts
Land Use Zoning
District
Permitted Density
( du/ ac) or
Permitted
Intensity ( FAR)
Minimum
Parcel Size
Minimum
District Size
Max Building
Coverage
Max
Building
Height
Intended Uses
1 Resource Conservation ( RC) 1 unit per 40 acres 40 gross acres 200 acres None specified 35 feet This district provides sites for open space and recreational
activities, single- family homes on very large parcels and similar
and compatible uses.
Agriculture ( AG) 1 unit per 10 acres 10 gross acres 100 acres None specified 35 feet
AG- 160 1 unit per 160 acres 160 gross acres None specified 35 feet
AG- 80 1 unit per 80 acres 80 gross acres None specified 35 feet
AG- 40 1 unit per 40 acres 40 gross acres None specified 35 feet
2
AG- 20 1 unit per 20 acres 20 gross acres None specified 35 feet
This district provides sites for commercial agricultural operations,
agriculture support services, rural residential uses and similar and
compatible uses. Open space and recreation uses may occur on
non- farmed lands within this district.
Rural Living ( RL)
1 unit per 2 1/ 2 acres 2.5 gross acres 30 acres 20% 35 feet
RL- 40 1 unit per 40 acres 40 gross acres 35 feet
RL- 20 1 unit per 20 acres 20 gross acres 35 feet
RL- 10 1 unit per 10 acres 10 gross acres 35 feet
3
RL- 5 1 unit per 5 acres 5 gross acres 35 feet
This district provides sites for rural residential uses, incidental
agricultural uses, and similar and compatible uses.
Single Residential ( RS) 1 unit per .25 acre 7,200 sq. feet 10 acres 40% 35 feet
RS- 1 1 unit per 1 acre 1 acre 35 feet
RS- 20M 1 unit per 20,000 sf 20,000 sf 35 feet
RS- 14M 1 unit per 14,000 sf 14,000 sf 35 feet
4
RS- 10M 1 unit per 10,000 sf 10,000 sf 35 feet
This district provides sites for single- family residential uses and
similar and compatible uses.
5 Multiple Residential ( RM) 1 unit per .05 acre 10,000 sf 10 acres 60% 35 feet This district provides sites for multiple residential uses, mixed
residential uses, and similar and compatible non- residential uses
and activities.
6 Neighborhood Commercial
( CN)
FAR =
Valley .3: 1
Mountain .25: 1
Desert .25: 1
1 acre 1 acre 40% 35 feet This district provides sites for retail trade and personal services,
repair services, professional services, recreation and
entertainment services, and similar and compatible uses.
7 Office Commercial ( CO) FAR =
Valley .75: 1
Mountain .5: 1
Desert .5: 1
5 acres 5 acres 60% 60 feet This district provides sites for professional services, and similar
and compatible uses.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 29
Land Use Zoning
District
Permitted Density
( du/ ac) or
Permitted
Intensity ( FAR)
Minimum
Parcel Size
Minimum
District Size
Max Building
Coverage
Max
Building
Height
Intended Uses
8 Rural Commercial ( CR)
FAR =
Valley .3: 1
Mountain .25: 1
Desert .3: 1
2.5 acres 2.5 acres 60% 35 feet This district provides sites for retail trade and personal services,
repair services, lodging services, recreation and entertainment
services, transportation services, and similar and compatible uses.
Agriculture and residential uses are also allowed, but are
secondary in importance.
9 Highway Commercial ( CH)
FAR =
Valley .5: 1
Mountain .3: 1
Desert .3: 1
5 acres 5 acres 65% 60 feet This district provides sites for retail trade and personal services,
lodging services, office and professional services, recreation and
entertainment services, wholesaling and warehousing,
contract/ construction services, transportation services, and similar
and compatible uses.
10 General Commercial ( CG) FAR =
Valley .5: 1
Mountain .5: 1
Desert .5: 1
5 acres 5 acres 60% 60 feet This district provides sites for retail trade and personal services,
lodging services, office and professional services, recreation and
entertainment services, wholesaling and warehousing,
contract/ construction services, transportation services, open lot
services, and similar and compatible uses.
11 Service Commercial ( CS)
FAR =
Valley .5: 1
Mountain .4: 1
Desert .3: 1
5 acres 5 acres 65% 60 feet This district provides sites for a mixture of heavy commercial uses
and light industrial uses including light manufacturing uses, and
similar and compatible uses.
12 Community Industrial ( IC) FAR =
Valley .45: 1
Mountain .4: 1
Desert .4: 1
5 acres 5 acres 70% 75 feet This district provides sites for light industrial uses such as light
manufacturing uses, wholesale/ warehouse services,
contract/ construction services, transportation services, agriculture
support services, incidental commercial and accessing residential
uses, and similar and compatible uses.
13 Regional Industrial ( IR) FAR =
Valley .55: 1
Mountain .4: 1
Desert .6: 1
5 acres 30 acres 70% 150 feet This district provides sites for heavy industrial uses that have the
potential to generate severe negative impacts, incidental
commercial uses, agricultural support services, salvage
operations, and similar and compatible uses.
14 Institutional ( IN) FAR =
Valley .75: 1
Mountain .5: 1
Desert .5: 1
None indicated None indicated 70% 150 feet This district provides sites for public and quasi- public uses
facilities, and similar and compatible uses.
Table LU- 1: Primary Purpose and Intended Uses of Land Use Zoning Districts ( Cont.)
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COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
Page II- 30 April 12, 2007
Land Use Zoning
District
Permitted Density
( du/ ac) or
Permitted
Intensity ( FAR)
Minimum
Parcel Size
Minimum
District Size
Max Building
Coverage
Max
Building
Height
Intended Uses
15 Special Development ( SD) FAR =
Valley .5: 1
Mountain .3: 1
Desert .3: 1
40 acres 40 acres 70% 50 feet This district provides sites for a combination of residential,
commercial, industrial, agricultural, open space and recreation
uses, and similar and compatible uses.
16 Floodway ( FW) FAR =
Valley .5: 1
Mountain .3: 1
Desert .3: 1
Not applicable 10 acres None specified None specified This district provides sites for animal raising, grazing, crop
production, and similar and compatible uses.
17 Specific Plan ( SP) FAR =
Valley .5: 1
Mountain .3: 1
Desert .3: 1
As determined by
the Specific Plan
As determined
by the Specific
Plan
As determined by
the Specific Plan
As determined
by the Specific
Plan
This district provides sites for a combination of residential,
commercial, industrial, agricultural, open space, recreational, and
similar compatible uses as determined by the Specific Plan.
18 Open Space ( OS) FAR =
None specified
Not applicable None specified None specified This district provides sites for open space and recreational uses,
and similar and compatible uses.
Table LU- 1: Primary Purpose and Intended Uses of Land Use Zoning Districts ( Cont.)
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 31
Table LU- 2. Summary Comparison of Build- Out Potential in Spheres of Influence
Residenital Commercial Industrial Residenital Commercial Industrial
( Dwelling Units) ( Square Feet) ( Square Feet) ( Dwelling Units) ( Square Feet) ( Square Feet)
Adelanto 3,837 0 0 14,977 6,031,666 5,634,094
Apple Valley 21,450 5,472,047 53,875,725 1,096 0 0
Barstow 16,576 14,090,242 18,041,002 20,418 87,120 16,257,245
Big Bear Lake 95 0 0 0 0 0
Chino 1,665 2,432,955 1,573,685 2,885 181,863 1,561,182
Colton 1,172 0 2,148,558 2,644 0 167,253
Fontana 19,564 16,625,384 152,274,014 17,378 20,771,586 127,382,944
Hesperia 14,538 6,357,551 12,339,810 6,176 2,779,128 1,469,889
Highland 48 0 0 0 0 0
Loma Linda 2,059 1,603,355 345,200 793 639,330 0
Montclair 545 17,231,701 4,866,517 1,913 2,951,155 1,358,305
Needles 839 0 0 0 0 0
Rancho Cucamonga 7,975 0 0 1,670 0 0
Redlands 13,950 5,225,307 16,339,035 8,820 832,967 3,028,176
Rialto 10,553 17,246,679 20,146,635 16,361 29,347,897 70,837,708
San Bernardino 18,689 12,848,775 12,738,521 14,045 1,036,401 7,577,265
Twentynine Palms 4,174 496,302 0 0 0 0
Upland 235 7,995,981 1,902,624 6,604 0 0
Victorville 10,616 1,748,573 5,816,812 9,072 7,605,140 9,517,512
Yucaipa 349 0 0 0 0 0
Total 148,932 109,374,851 302,408,139 124,853 72,264,254 244,791,572
Sources: County of San Bernardino Land Use Services Department, San Bernardino County Information Services Department – Geographic Information
Management System ( GIMS), and various city general plans
Sphere of Influence Build- Out Per County Land Use
Designations
Sphere of Influence Build- Out Per Cities Land Use
Designations
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
Page II- 32 April 12, 2007
T. COUNTYWIDE GOALS AND POLICIES OF THE LAND
USE ELEMENT
GOAL LU 1. The County 1 will have a compatible and harmonious
arrangement of land uses by providing a type and mix of
functionally well- integrated land uses that are fiscally
viable and meet general social and economic needs of the
residents.
POLICIES
LU 1.1 Develop a well- integrated mix of residential, commercial, industrial,
and public uses that meet the social and economic needs of the
residents in the three geographic regions of the County: Valley,
Mountain, and Desert2.
LU 1.2 The design and siting of new development will meet locational and
development standards to ensure compatibility of the new
development with adjacent land uses and community character.
Programs
1. Discourage linear commercial development of shallow depth along
streets or highways when it can be shown that such development
impairs traffic flow or detracts from the aesthetic enjoyment of the
surroundings, or if it can be demonstrated that equally effective
services can be provided in an alternative configuration.
2. Establish special performance standards for industrial uses to
control industrial odors, air pollution, noise pollution, vibrations,
dust, hours of operation, exterior storage, and other nuisances.
LU 1.3 Promote a mix of land uses that are fiscally self- sufficient.
LU 1.4 Encourage preservation of the unique aspects of the rural communities
and their rural character.
1 “ County” refers to only the unincorporated portion of San Bernardino County that are under the jurisdiction of
the county and the Board of Supervisors. That is, unless otherwise indicated, these goals, policies and programs
are applicable only to the unincorporated portions of the county.
2 The County’s Development Code provides the standards, requirements, and procedures to determine how,
when, and where mixed- used opportunities will be identified and evaluated for feasibility.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 33
GOAL LU 2. Residential land uses will be provided in a range of styles,
densities, and affordability and in a variety of areas to live,
ranging from traditional urban neighborhoods to more
“ rural” neighborhoods.
POLICIES
LU 2.1 Promote varied approaches to residential development to foster a
variety of housing types and densities and more efficient use of the
land.
Programs
1. Allow innovative residential development, such as clustering as a
means of achieving more efficient housing construction and
providing larger areas of usable common open space and avoiding
natural hazards.
2. Establish a system to award density bonuses in return for special
design, infrastructure improvements, extra amenities, usable open
space, or other developer efforts.
LU 2.2 When more intensive development is proposed adjacent to developed
large lots, then the new development shall be required to provide
adequate buffering, so that compatibility between rural residential uses
and more urban uses may be maintained.
GOAL LU 3. The unincorporated communities within the County will be
sufficiently served by commercial land uses through a
combination of commercial development within cities and
unincorporated communities.
POLICIES
LU 3.1 Protect areas best suited for commercial uses by virtue of their
location, access to major arterials, and availability of infrastructure and
other utilities, from other incompatible uses.
Programs
1. Continue to prepare and update demand estimates for commercial
land relative to population patterns.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
Page II- 34 April 12, 2007
GOAL LU 4. The unincorporated communities within the County will be
sufficiently served by industrial land uses.
POLICIES
LU 4.1 Protect areas best suited for industrial activity by virtue of their
location and other criteria from residential and other incompatible
uses.
Programs
1. Develop information and data based on industrial land uses, trends,
employment and production. Monitor changes in location of
industrial lands and demand for such lands, and identify
opportunities and constraints for new industrial development.
2. Develop demand estimates for industrial land based on analysis of
trends of industrial land absorption and development.
GOAL LU 5. Reduce traffic congestion and air pollution and improve the
quality of life for County residents by providing
employment and housing opportunities in close proximity
to each other.
POLICIES
LU 5.1 When a change in permitted land use( s) is proposed, review
development applications to ensure that housing and employment
opportunities ( current and projected) are located in close proximity to
each other, acknowledging housing and employment opportunities
within both unincorporated County areas and cities.
LU 5.2 Provide sufficient incentives to encourage development of areas
designated for commercial and industrial uses to be developed to
provide employment opportunities.
Programs
1. Develop a priority application process for commercial and
industrial development that would improve the County’s
jobs/ housing balance.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 35
GOAL LU 6. Promote, where applicable, compact land use development
by mixing land uses, creating walkable communities, and
strengthening and directing development towards existing
communities.
POLICIES
LU 6.1 Mixed- use developments will be encouraged in unincorporated areas
of the County for projects that have adequate acreage to accommodate
different land uses while providing buffers and other mechanisms to
minimize or avoid land use conflicts.
LU 6.2 To expand opportunities for future employment centers in the
unincorporated County, recruit industrial and commercial development
to urban infill areas.
Programs
1. The County Economic Development Agency will provide
information to prospective firms regarding targeted in- fill areas.
LU 6.3 To support the expansion of opportunities for future employment,
promote use of grants for upgrading infrastructure in urban infill areas.
Programs
1. Prioritize capital improvements and public works to upgrade urban
infill areas, including supporting creation of improvement districts,
except where prohibited by other regulations and policies.
LU 6.4 To facilitate future development of employment centers, design
incentive actions to be consistent and compatible with adopted
applicable city sphere of influence policies and other regulations and
policies.
GOAL LU 7. The distribution of land uses will be consistent with the
maintenance of environmental quality, conservation of
natural resources, and the preservation of open spaces.
POLICIES
LU 7.1 Ensure that land use developments within the state- delineated Mineral
Resource Zones ( MRZs) are in accordance with the adopted mineral
resources management policies of the County.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
Page II- 36 April 12, 2007
LU 7.2 Enact and enforce regulations that will limit development in
environmentally sensitive areas, such as those adjacent to river or
streamside areas, and hazardous areas, such as flood plains, steep
slopes, high fire risk areas, and geologically hazardous areas.
GOAL LU 8. Beneficial facilities, such as schools, parks, medical
facilities, sheriff and fire stations, libraries, and other
public uses, as well as potentially hazardous sites, will be
equitably distributed throughout the County.
POLICIES
LU 8.1 Potentially polluting, hazardous, and other health risk facilities should
be located no closer than one- quarter mile to a sensitive receptor and
vice versa.
LU 8.2 Review development proposals to minimize impacts, such as air
emissions, on sensitive receptors.
LU 8.3 Locate fire department facilities in such a fashion as to maximize
service delivery in an equitable fashion to all portions of the County.
Programs
1. Create a County Fire Master Plan that will identify the various
areas of the County and provide standards of coverage
commensurate with the various characteristics of the County but
whose goal is to achieve the levels of service established by the
National Fire Protection Association ( NFPA) 1710 and 1720.
2. Require developments to prepare a Fire Plan that will describe the
impacts on the County Fire Department and the measures
necessary to mitigate the cumulative impacts of that development
on the existing service delivery system.
3. Apply the County Fire Master Plan standards to all developments
and to areas that have a high potential for development such that
the impacts of future developments are mitigated in advance by
commensurate improvements to the fire service delivery system in
the County.
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
SECTION II – LAND USE ELEMENT
April 12, 2007 Page II- 37
GOAL LU 9. Development will be in a contiguous manner as much as
possible to minimize environmental impacts, minimize
public infrastructure and service costs, and further
countywide economic development goals.
POLICIES
LU 9.1 Encourage infill development in unincorporated areas and sphere of
influence ( SOI) areas.
LU 9.2 Discourage leap- frog development and urban sprawl by restricting the
extension or creation of new urban services or special districts to areas
that cannot be sustained in a fiscally responsible manner.
Programs
1. Consider the adoption of regulations and plans, whenever possible,
such as the adoption of overlays, specific plans, zoning studies,
infrastructure support plans, and other appropriate mechanisms that
encourage annexation and the use of city standards within sphere
of influence areas.
LU 9.3 In order to ensure a logical land use pattern for specific areas and to
minimize the review time on environmental and design issues for
submitted applications, discourage General Plan Land Use Zoning
District Amendments that are submitted w